Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently signed a two-year extension at the Etihad Stadium – but is enduring the worst season in his managerial career

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently signed a two-year extension at the Etihad Stadium – but is enduring the worst season in his managerial career

 

Manchester City are enduring a torrid season

Manchester City have been rocked by claims that Pep Guardiola could be about to end his nine-year association with the club.

 

The Premier League champions were emphatically eliminated from Europe by Real Madrid last night, thanks to a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick in the Bernabeu. The result leaves Guardiola’s team fighting on just one front now – the FA Cup – with a 17-point deficit surely too much even for Manchester City to overhaul Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

 

To add to the disappointment in Madrid, John Stones left the field early in the first half with a suspected knee injury, with Erling Haaland a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool at the Etihad when Premier League action returns.

 

Pep Guardiola could leave Manchester City, with a replacement lined up already

 

Manchester City have enjoyed unprecedented success since Guardiola took charge

Guardiola – ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest managers ever – signed a contract extension with City in the autumn to keep him in the Premier League until 2027.

 

Since then, however, City have won just six of their last 14 Premier League fixtures, as the club struggles without 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri. The club addressed their deficiencies in the January transfer window with £200 million worth of new signings, however, in a clear statement of intent to salvage the season.

 

 

City have missed Rodri this season

A report from Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that despite Guardiola’s recent commitment to the cause, his “continuity is not assured” and “uncertainty” remains over his future.

 

The claims do not provide a timeframe for his departure and could be talking more long-term, but state that Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola – Ranked at no.32 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best managers in the world right now – is being eyed as a successor.

 

“Manchester City know that if Guardiola decides not to stay, they will need a replacement who maintains their playing philosophy and continues to exploit the talent in their squad to the maximum,” the report claims. “The future of the Spanish coach will depend on how Guardiola’s situation at City is resolved and the decisions that the English club makes for next season.”

 

 

Despite this report, FourFourTwo understands that Guardiola had agreed to sign a new contract a while before the announcement came in November 2024, meaning that the Catalan has been committed to the club long before the downturn in form.

 

 

Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth is linked with City

For that reason, it’s hard to imagine that Guardiola will be eyeing an early exit from the club – especially as he has never broken a contract as a manager before.

 

Guardiola has won 16 trophies at Manchester City and a further 20 in his managerial career. Since moving to Manchester in 2016, he has won 27 individual honours.

 

According to *Goal*, Erling Haaland has finally broken his frustrating goal drought against Real Madrid, but his toughest challenge still lies ahead. The Manchester City striker netted twice in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, demonstrating his ability to penetrate the Spanish giants’ defense.

 

However, his heroics weren’t enough to secure a win, as City faltered late in the match, leaving them with a daunting task in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. For Pep Guardiola’s side to advance, Haaland must now overcome his most formidable individual obstacle: outdueling Antonio Rüdiger.

 

Rüdiger has emerged as Haaland’s kryptonite, consistently stifling the Norwegian’s influence with his physicality, aggressive marking, and tactical intelligence. The German defender played a pivotal role in neutralizing Haaland during their previous Champions League encounters, notably in last season’s quarter-finals.

 

While Haaland’s brace in the first leg showed he can breach Madrid’s backline, he still found it difficult to dominate Rüdiger in open play. With City needing a near-perfect performance at the Bernabéu, Haaland must find a way to overcome his personal nemesis and turn the tide in his favor.

 

Haaland’s impact will be judged not just by goals but by his ability to adapt against elite opposition. When isolated by Rüdiger’s physical presence, he must find ways to create space, link up with teammates, and exploit any defensive vulnerabilities.

 

His movement will be key in pulling defenders out of position, creating opportunities for City’s attacking midfielders to exploit. Guardiola is likely to adjust City’s tactics, potentially emphasizing quicker transitions or more crosses into the box to leverage Haaland’s aerial prowess.

 

The psychological battle is equally critical. Rüdiger excels at unsettling opponents with his relentless energy and mind games, often disrupting their rhythm. Haaland, known for his calm demeanor, must stay composed and avoid being drawn into unnecessary confrontations. His ability to remain clinical under pressure could prove decisive in City’s quest for Champions League success.