Manchester City is facing internal tensions between Pep Guardiola and “some players,” as reported in a new update amid a difficult season for the Premier League champions.
City finds itself in unfamiliar territory, experiencing a four-game losing streak for the first time since 2006, when Stuart Pearce managed the squad. This marks Guardiola’s first run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions. The rough patch began with an exit from the Carabao Cup against Tottenham, followed by Premier League losses to Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion, and a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in the Champions League.
Injuries have worsened City’s struggles. Long-term absences of Rodri and Oscar Bobb have been compounded by recent issues affecting key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Lee, while injuries are a major factor, a source of concern also lies within the dressing room, where tensions have reportedly emerged between Guardiola and certain players. Anonymous sources cited in the report indicate that “tension in the dressing room” has been growing, though such conflicts are not entirely unusual at City and have been overcome in previous title-winning seasons.
City’s challenges seem to stem partly from their relentless focus on winning, as Guardiola’s squad is unaccustomed to extended periods of adversity.
With the hope that injuries and fitness setbacks are temporary, Guardiola and his staff are optimistic that City’s fortunes will improve after the international break as key players return to the lineup. The champions will face Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in their first game back, followed by a series of demanding Champions League and Premier League matches in December and January.
