Manchester City, once an unstoppable force in European and domestic football, finds itself under intense scrutiny after a string of disappointing performances, including a shocking collapse in the Champions League. The latest setback—a 3-3 draw against Feyenoord after being 3-0 up with less than 20 minutes to go—has raised serious questions about Pep Guardiola’s methods and his long-term future at the club. For the first time in his illustrious managerial career, Guardiola has suffered five consecutive defeats, an unthinkable scenario just weeks ago. Now, former Liverpool striker and outspoken pundit Stan Collymore has weighed in, suggesting that the Catalan’s time at the top might be nearing its end.
The Unthinkable: City’s Decline in Form
For a team that seemed virtually unbeatable last season, City’s recent slump has been nothing short of shocking. Guardiola’s men were the defending treble champions, dominating the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League with clinical precision. Their tactical brilliance, squad depth, and mental resilience made them the gold standard in world football. Yet, the current campaign has exposed vulnerabilities that few saw coming.
The implosion against Feyenoord epitomized City’s recent struggles. Leading 3-0 with 18 minutes remaining, they looked set to cruise to another Champions League victory. But defensive lapses and a sudden loss of composure saw them concede three quick goals, leaving fans stunned and questioning the team’s mental toughness. Such a collapse would be shocking for any side, but for Manchester City under Guardiola—known for their meticulous control and ruthless efficiency—it felt almost surreal.
Collymore’s Critique: The Cycle of Managers
In his recent column for CaughtOffside, Stan Collymore offered a stark assessment of Guardiola’s current predicament, arguing that the decline might be part of a natural cycle that all great managers experience. “Football goes in cycles,” Collymore said. “It happened to Wenger, it happened to Ferguson, it happened to Sacchi. Every manager who stays at a club for more than five or six years eventually faces this challenge.”
Collymore highlighted several factors that contribute to this cycle. First, he pointed to the diminishing passion and energy that long-serving managers often face. “In Pep’s case, his agitation and his constant need for perfection have a shelf life,” Collymore noted. “You can only sustain that level of intensity for so long. Like a great rock band that wants to play Wembley forever, the reality is that your powers wane. You get older, you become less capable.”
Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of perfection has been both his greatest strength and a potential Achilles heel. His demanding style requires constant innovation, and maintaining that level of excellence becomes increasingly difficult over time. There’s also the question of motivation. After winning everything there is to win, does Guardiola still have the same fire that drove him during his early years at Barcelona?
The Need for Fresh Voices
Collymore also emphasized the importance of new voices and fresh ideas in the dressing room. “Sometimes players need new voices and stimuli,” he explained. “Look at Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. When he left, people doubted whether anyone could match his personality. But Arne Slot has come in with a different approach, and it’s working.”
The same could be true for Manchester City. Many of Guardiola’s key players have been with him for years, and the risk of burnout or complacency is real. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Bernardo Silva have been instrumental in City’s success, but they’re also part of an aging core. “It’s a squad that’s creaking around the seams,” Collymore observed. “They need fresh blood, and perhaps a new voice to rejuvenate them.”
An Aging Squad
The issue of City’s aging squad cannot be ignored. While Guardiola has integrated younger talents like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, the backbone of the team consists of seasoned veterans. Kevin De Bruyne, who has struggled with injuries, remains a crucial figure but is no longer at his physical peak. Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva, though still performing at a high level, are not getting any younger. The departure of Ilkay Gundogan, a key leader in the dressing room, has also left a void.
City’s recent struggles may reflect a deeper structural issue. Rebuilding a squad while maintaining competitiveness is one of the hardest challenges in football, and it’s one that Guardiola now faces head-on. His success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich was built on cycles of renewal, but replicating that at City will require more than tactical brilliance—it will demand a new generation of leaders on the pitch.
The Pep Conundrum: Is the Fire Still There?
Perhaps the most pressing question is whether Guardiola still has the inner drive to navigate this challenge. He recently signed a two-year contract extension, a signal of his commitment to the club. But as Collymore pointed out, longevity brings its own challenges. “The biggest question mark is whether Pep still has the inner belief, the energy, and the will to win,” he said. “With so many top managers in the Premier League now—like Ruben Amorim, Arne Slot, Andoni Iraola, and Unai Emery—the competition is fiercer than ever.”
Guardiola’s recent comments have added to the intrigue. After the Feyenoord debacle, he admitted feeling immense frustration, even suggesting he wanted to “hurt himself” out of sheer exasperation. He also warned that if the current form continues, City’s Premier League title hopes could be over. These remarks hint at a manager under intense pressure, grappling with the weight of expectation.
A Path to Redemption
Despite the current turmoil, all hope is not lost. Manchester City has been in difficult positions before, and Guardiola has a track record of turning things around. The coming weeks will be crucial. Another chance for redemption is just days away, and if City can string together a series of victories, the current crisis may soon be forgotten. Football, after all, is a game of momentum, and few managers are better at building it than Guardiola.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Pep Guardiola. Is this merely a temporary blip, or the beginning of the end of an era? Only time will tell. What is certain, however, is that the football world will be watching closely as City and their iconic manager navigate this storm.