Pep Guardiola, the head coach of Manchester City, has openly taken full responsibility for his team’s ongoing struggles following their dramatic 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. The match marked another setback in a season that has seen City battling to find consistency, leaving fans and pundits questioning their title credentials.
The defeat was a major blow to the reigning Premier League champions, as it was their eighth loss in their last 11 games, a stretch of poor form that has sent shockwaves across the footballing world. City now find themselves fifth in the league standings, a staggering nine points behind table-toppers Liverpool, and facing one of their worst runs since 2003.
In a candid post-match interview, Guardiola did not shy away from accepting the blame. He acknowledged that the responsibility for the team’s struggles lies with him, not the players.
“I’m the boss, I’m the manager, and I’m not good enough,” he admitted. “I have to find a solution. It’s as simple as that. It’s not about blaming players—this is on me.” Guardiola’s words resonated deeply with City fans, many of whom are looking to the manager for answers and leadership during this turbulent period.
The match itself was a dramatic affair. City initially took the lead through a well-taken header by Josko Gvardiol, raising hopes that they could turn their season around. However, Manchester United staged a late comeback, with Bruno Fernandes’ penalty leveling the score before Amad Diallo netted the winner, leaving Guardiola and his team stunned.
The result has intensified scrutiny on the team, with senior players voicing their frustrations about the performance. Phil Foden lamented the defensive lapses, describing them as “youth-team defending,” while Bernardo Silva did not hold back in his criticism. “We deserved what happened,” Silva remarked. “At this level, it’s not about luck. Over 10 games, it’s about decisions, and lately, we’ve been playing like an Under-15 team.”
Adding to the tension is the fact that this poor run of form has coincided with Guardiola’s recent two-year contract extension, a move that signaled the club’s faith in his leadership. However, the current results have cast a shadow over the extension, with fans now questioning whether Guardiola can steer the team back to success.
Despite the setbacks, Manchester City still have an opportunity to turn their season around. Their next fixture against Aston Villa will be a crucial test, as the team looks to halt the downward spiral and rebuild their confidence. For Guardiola, it will be a chance to prove that he can deliver solutions and reignite the winning mentality that has defined his tenure at the club.
The coming weeks will be pivotal for Guardiola and his team as they face mounting pressure to deliver results and reclaim their status as one of the dominant forces in European football.
