Guardiola hits rock bottom

The warning signs were there. If City was expected to collapse the moment Real Madrid’s attack clicked into gear, it’s because Guardiola’s reign—now in its ninth season—may have reached its lowest point yet. Despite winning 18 trophies and elevating City to a level where they regularly compete with European giants such as Real Madrid, the team’s struggles this season have been impossible to ignore. As The Guardian put it in print, the reality is undeniable: midway through February, City is on the verge of a Champions League exit and miles behind in the Premier League title race.

While Jude Bellingham’s heroics—and the British tabloids’ “Hell’s Bells” pun—dominated headlines, one word echoed across English media after City’s latest European collapse: disaster. Beyond celebrating Bellingham’s performance in Real Madrid’s 3-2 comeback win, the press also pointed fingers at the culprits in sky blue. The Times was particularly scathing, calling City’s defending “comical” and blaming it for Guardiola’s latest setback..

Guardiola, however, refused to single out his players. “This defeat belongs to all of us,” he said in his postgame press conference. “It’s ridiculous to blame just one player. The truth is, we’re not stable enough.” Despite his attempt to protect the team, goalkeeper Ederson—who made crucial saves before his blunder gifted Madrid the equalizer—and substitute Rico Lewis, who endured a torrid second half on the right flank, became the primary scapegoats.

“It would be an absolute miracle if Manchester City made it through to the next round...”

Alan Shearer, former England player.

“You can’t switch off for even a second at this level, especially against a team like Real Madrid with the kind of attackers they have,” former England striker Alan Shearer said on Amazon Prime’s broadcast. “City handed them the game in the last five minutes. At 2-2, there was still hope, even if Madrid was favored. But now? Madrid is the clear favorite. It would take a miracle for City to turn this around. With the attacking quality they have, you’d expect them to finish the job in the second leg.”

City’s defensive fragility under Guardiola has never been more glaring. The team has conceded 17 goals in nine Champions League games this season—more than the 16 they allowed in 12 matches during their 2022-23 campaign. As Wayne Rooney put it on Amazon Prime, “This City team is just too naive.” And they still have to travel to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg.

With one foot out of the Champions League and slipping in the domestic standings—now fifth in the Premier League, level on points with Newcastle, their next opponent—the criticism is mounting. Guardiola stuck with his trusted veterans against Madrid, relying on stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, but time is catching up with City’s core. De Bruyne (33), Ilkay Gündogan (34), Ederson (31), and others like John Stones, Bernardo Silva, and Mateo Kovačić approaching 30, are showing signs of wear. That’s why City splashed over $215 million in the January transfer window.

As Simon Bajkowski of Manchester Evening News put it, “City has a starting XI to compete with the best in Europe, but not the squad depth.” The additions of 19-year-old Vitor Reis, 20-year-old Abdukodir Khusanov, 23-year-old Nico González, and 26-year-old Omar Marmoush are meant to lay the foundation for the next era of Manchester City. And if Guardiola is the one to build it remains an open question. Micah Richards recently suggested that his time at the Etihad “might be coming to an end,” but Sergio Agüero defended his former manager on Sky Sports, saying, “Pep is one of the best in the world, and if anyone can turn this around, it’s him.”

Guardiola himself sought to reassure fans by extending his contract through 2027, despite his previous deal expiring in June. He has consistently stated that he feels fully supported by the club. In Manchester—and across England—Guardiola remains an untouchable figure. He, and only he, will decide when his legendary tenure at City comes to an end. And when that day comes, he and Hugo Viana will be the architects of whatever comes next for the club.

This article was originally written in Spanish, it was translated using the assistance of AI before being edited for publication.

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