Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension at Manchester City, putting an end to speculation about his future for the time being. The announcement on 21 November didn’t provide an immediate boost in fortunes as City’s record 52 game unbeaten run at home was ended by a Tottenham Hotspur side that dismantled the champions in brutal fashion.
Last year City romped to their fourth Premier League title in a row, but after a run of five straight defeats in all competitions this season, there is a vulnerability around City and the 0-4 loss at the Etihad exposed rare defensive frailties.
Guardiola has doubled down on his tactics, arguing there is no need for a knee jerk reaction following the mauling by Spurs, and with 18 trophies under his belt at Manchester (40 over his career at Barcelona and Bayern) there are plenty who will agree with him that there is no need to panic.
But there are challenges ahead which the recent poor run has exposed. Nine first team players are over 30 years old, and the squad will need to be refreshed if City are to maintain the physical intensity and mental desire he needs his key players to deliver week in week out.
The recent omissions of 33-year-old midfield legend Kevin De Bruyne suggests City are planning for life without the Belgian maestro, while the injury to ballon d’or winner Rodri has coincided, as it always seems to, with dropped points, compounded by a host of injuries to other key first team players.
The biggest problem is that Haaland isn’t scoring but it’s hard to imagine that a player with the Norwegian’s immense quality won’t get back to his best form very soon. City had 23 shots against Tottenham and only conceded nine, but Haaland’s rare profligacy left them toothless.
Then there is the ongoing financial fair play case against City brought by the Premier League. Guardiola has recommitted his future to Man City even as the reigning champions await verdicts on 115 charges of alleged financial breaches in the spring.
The manager has insisted that he will remain in Manchester even if the club are relegated. City have always denied any wrongdoing and Guardiola has been steadfast in his insistence that the club is innocent, but if they are found guilty then sanctions could include anything from heavy fines, points deductions or even expulsion from multiple competitions and potentially the stripping of trophies.
City will no doubt be holding fire on their recruitment plans until the case is resolved and they know what they are facing. In the meantime, it would surely be premature to write off a squad that has just won four titles on the bounce, as well as a long-coveted Champions League.
The clarity on Guardiola’s future also ends speculation that he was being lined up for the England job after the World Cup in 2026. Thomas Tuchel’s appointment on a short-term contract had added credence to the rumours but now Guardiola and City can plan (for the next few years at least), although the FA will need to think about other targets.
Delivering a win in the next game is always the priority for Guardiola, and with a trip to Feyenoord in the Champions League followed by Anfield on Sunday (the start of a busy December in which they play eight times), the pressure is on to mastermind a victory.
A loss to Liverpool would put City 11 points behind in the league which is starting to look like an insurmountable challenge given the leader’s formidable form this season, while City also currently sit two places outside a finals spot in Europe. Liverpool is the last team you’d want to face when struggling but a statement win for City would help to steady the ship and boost flagging morale.
Guardiola has said he loves fighting for the club; the adversity and challenges he faces fuel his development as a manager and his passion for the game. He will be relishing the chance to prove his genius once again, so it is perhaps no surprise to see him sign a contract extension at this very moment, when the odds are stacking up against him. City fans will be hoping that the announcement gives the squad the pep they need to triumph at Anfield!
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The above is accurate as at 26 November 2024. The information above may be subject to change.
The content of this note should not be considered legal advice and each matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
