Pep Guardiola insists he will not walk out on troubled Manchester City as he strives to stop the champions’ stunning decline.
The Spaniard, whose side visit Leicester City on Sunday, only recently signed a two-year contract extension but City’s dismal form has raised questions about his future. A nightmare run of nine defeats in 13 games, with just one win in that woeful spell, triggered suggestions the City boss could decide to quit if he cannot find an answer to his team’s problems.
However, having led City to six Premier League titles in the last seven seasons, Guardiola is convinced he is still hungry for the situation around him.
“I’m going to try, I’m going to continue. Sometimes you think that a bad streak will end quicker or that it will be less difficult to fix, but it takes longer,” he told reporters before Sunday’s game. I’m going to give up. I need to be here. I have to do it and, given the scenario we find ourselves in, we have to do it.
“Of course I need it, everyone needs it. I don’t need to let my teammates down in terms of the club, the fans, the other people who love this club. I think all of us in our paintings need to do things well and please others. It is undeniable, it is not a question mark.
“The biggest test is to come back again, but we have done that before.”
Injuries have been a major cause of City’s decline, leaving them languishing in seventh position in the Premier League.
Most especially, the gaping hole left by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, as he recovers from a long-term knee injury. Nor have matters been helped by the erratic form in an inconsistent season by the usually prolific Erling Haaland, who missed a penalty that could have sealed a City win against Everton in their last match.
Haaland has scored one goal in his last seven games, but Guardiola refused to blame the Norwegian striker or any of his teammates.
“In my upbringing I did not have the habit of starting to complain, of pointing out other people. It happened, that’s life, that’s football, so let’s check it again,” he said.
“That is why we have been successful, because it is never enough, we will prove it again and again. That’s why we have won many titles.
“Every three days it was a game and win, win, win for many, many months and years. Now, we have to do the same when results are not good.”
– Premier League (@premierleague) December 28, 2024
City still have doubts about the fitness of several players as they bid to get back to winning ways at struggling Leicester, who have won only one of their last 11
“Sometimes you have injuries,” Guardiola said. For many years we were incredibly consistent, but now we are a little bit consistent and the main explanation is the number of vital players injured.
“But I saw the team spirit, how we trained this week, how focused they are, how they try to practise.”
Jordan Ayew, who was suspended after the striker, was warned for the fifth time this season, defeat opposing Liverpool on Leicester’s last shot.
Captain Jamie Vardy should be fit to return from a minor knock, but Wout Faes misses out again in defence.
Long-term absentee Rodri was joined on the sidelines by Ruben Dias, John Stones, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Matheus Nunes for the 1-1 draw with Everton.
This is the 128th meeting between the clubs, of which City have won on 64 occasions, while Leicester have come away the spoils following 32 of the encounters.
City have won the last five league meetings, scoring 10 goals in the last three of those, while Leicester could only break up that run with a Community Shield victory following the 2020-21 title-winning season.
Leicester’s last league win came in that campaign with a 5-2 victory at City, and included a hat-trick from Vardy. The reverse game at King Power Stadium resulted in a 2-0 scoreline that gave City the three points and began their current dominant streak over the Foxes in the league.
– Premier League (@premierleague) December 28, 2024