Amid a disquieting phase for Manchester City, with only one victory in their last 12 matches, culminating in a 2-1 setback against Aston Villa, fans and officials at the club have been told not to worry about Pep Guardiola’s commitment to the club.
City now sits 12 points off league leaders Liverpool, with the Reds also holding a game in hand on their rivals. With little sign of their slump abating, Guardiola has come under more pressure than ever before during his time at the Etihad.
Guardiola’s penchant for overcoming adversity, telling TNT Sports: “I don’t think Guardiola is anywhere close to resigning. He’s someone that thrives on a challenge. He will see this as a challenge. I don’t think he’s anywhere close to thinking about resigning.”
Adding to the vote of confidence, pundit Peter Crouch remarked: “I think he stays. I think he leaves when he wants to. It’s whether he can turn it around.
“The man’s a genius. He’s changed the face of football in this country. He’s not had this test anywhere he’s been. He’s one of the greatest we’ve ever seen. You’d expect him to turn it around.”
Crouch though has cast doubt over the Premier League title holders’ hopes of retaining their crown: “I think you have to (write City off in title race). They’re not showing signs of title-winning form.”
The City boss is looking more and more like he doesn’t know how to get his side of this slump. It’s not just a simple case of injuries taking their toll, the players that are fit simply aren’t performing.
It always feels a bit risky saying this, but Liverpool can forget about them as title challengers now. Even the City sides of the past would have struggled to make up a 12-point gap, never mind this current team.
