Man City ‘would not stand in the way’ of Pep Guardiola departure | OneFootball

Guardiola and Manchester City’s Moment of Reckoning

Pep Guardiola has long been accustomed to dominance. His teams do not simply win; they set new benchmarks, dictating the rhythm of elite football. But Manchester City’s latest season has unravelled in ways few expected, and, as The Telegraph reports, there is a growing sense that a reckoning is approaching.

This campaign has been unlike any other under Guardiola. A dismal Champions League exit, an erratic Premier League run, and the weight of 115 financial charges hanging over the club—the sense of invincibility is gone. City have often rebounded from adversity, but this time, the challenge is existential.

A Fractured Season and Guardiola’s State of Mind

The warning signs emerged long before City’s elimination from Europe. A stunning 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in November—a match in which City squandered a 3-0 lead in the final 15 minutes—seemed to expose cracks in both the team’s structure and their manager’s psyche. Guardiola, visibly rattled, cut his own nose with his fingernail in frustration and later locked himself in his office, seeking solitude.

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“It is not a good morning,” he reportedly told staff the next day, an unusual admission for a coach who thrives on controlling narratives. The relentless pursuit of excellence has taken its toll, not just on the squad, but on the man orchestrating it all.

Guardiola’s Struggles and the Weight of Expectation

Few managers have ever sustained Guardiola’s level of intensity. His past departures from Barcelona and Bayern Munich were, in part, dictated by the crushing weight of expectation and his own relentless drive for perfection.

There are concerns that the same pressures may now be consuming him at City. He recently spoke about the loneliness of football management, the toll it takes on his health, and his inability to digest food properly. Guardiola is known for going match days without eating until after games, but this season, even his signature routine of post-match Spanish ham and red wine has felt like a chore.

Despite signing a contract extension until 2027, there remains an unspoken understanding that if he chooses to leave, the club will not stand in his way. His relationship with City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is strong enough that an amicable departure could be arranged. But would that be Guardiola’s way? Or does he see this as his final battle, his ultimate test?

Tactical Dilemmas and the Loss of Rodri

City’s struggles this season cannot simply be attributed to fatigue or Guardiola’s emotional burden. On the pitch, Rodri’s injury in September destabilised the entire structure of the team.

Guardiola himself admitted: “Rodri is one of the reasons for the slump. Who doesn’t lose without the best player in the world?” The statistics underline the point—City’s win rate with Rodri stands at an astonishing 76%, but without him, it drops dramatically to just 53%.

Photo: IMAGO

The loss of Rodri has led to uncertainty in midfield, but City’s issues extend further. The defence has been plagued by injuries, and Kyle Walker’s form has collapsed. Guardiola has persisted with a high press, but without the usual energy in midfield, it has left City vulnerable to counter-attacks, a weakness ruthlessly exposed by their opponents.

Tactically, Guardiola has looked unusually hesitant. Substitutions have been questioned, particularly during the first leg against Real Madrid when he removed John Stones from midfield—where he had been influential—to accommodate Mateo Kovačić, a decision that backfired.

Photo: IMAGO

The Challenge of Rebuilding

Guardiola thrives on reinvention, but this summer represents the most significant rebuild of his career.

City’s squad is ageing. Ten players will be over 30 by the summer, including key figures like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Ederson. Guardiola has remained loyal to them, but football is ruthless, and loyalty does not win titles.

Photo: IMAGO

At other clubs, legends have been phased out gradually—Kompany, Silva, Agüero—but for the first time, City are facing the prospect of losing multiple key figures in one transfer window. Walker is already gone, and De Bruyne’s situation remains uncertain. The club will have to decide whether to cash in or risk another season with a core that is showing signs of decline.

A Manager at the Crossroads

Guardiola’s legacy is secure. No other manager has won four consecutive Premier League titles, and his tactical innovations have reshaped modern football. But how he navigates this crisis will define his City tenure.

There is still the FA Cup to play for, and the Club World Cup looms on the horizon. Yet, as the season winds down, the focus will shift to whether Guardiola has the energy and desire to lead City through another transition.

City, historically meticulous in their planning, now face an uncertain future. A major summer overhaul is expected, and Guardiola’s role in it could determine whether he stays to rebuild or decides he has nothing left to give.

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This is not just about a bad run of form; it is about whether the Guardiola era is beginning to crumble.

Losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League was a blow, but the lack of fight in that exit was more alarming than the defeat itself. City teams under Guardiola have been defined by their resilience, their ability to suffocate opponents with possession. Now, they seem vulnerable. The once-unbreakable confidence has been shaken.

The biggest worry for fans is that this squad has grown old together. De Bruyne, Walker, Bernardo Silva, and Ederson have been pillars of this golden era, but how many of them will be here next season? A rebuild is coming, but can City remain dominant while transitioning?

Then there is the Guardiola factor. Fans trust him implicitly, but if he is mentally drained, can he inspire this team again? His emotional connection to the club remains strong, but history suggests that once he begins to question himself, an exit is never far away.

Ultimately, City supporters will cling to one hope: when Guardiola has been doubted before, he has always found a way to respond. But this time, with so much uncertainty, it feels different.