Following their defeat to Brighton last Saturday Manchester City entered the international break on the back of four consecutive defeats in all competitions. That represents uncharted territory for Pep Guardiola’s side. City’s losing streak has sparked calls that the end of City’s era of dominance may be upon us. That may prove to be true but writing off Pep Guardiola and Manchester City is a dangerous game. History shows they tend to bite back hard from adversity. They will be hoping to do the same when domestic football returns after the current international break.
Dutch journalist Nico Dijkshoorn has written a piece for Dutch outlet Voetbal International that he is enjoying the ‘decline’ of Pep Guardiola. Dijkshoorn believes that Arne Slot is a breath of fresh air regarding how he treats the media. Dijkshoorn explained: “That’s probably why I enjoy Pep Guardiola’s decline so much. He suddenly belongs, thanks to Arne Slot, to an old-fashioned group of managers. Pep Guardiola has been keeping journalists at a distance with cynicism and irony for years. Arne Slot shows that it can be done differently. The new managers understand that you have to take journalists seriously. They never cut off an interview. That’s why I enjoy Pep Guardiola’s losing streak. He has chosen bored arrogance for years and now there’s no way back.”
Talk of Pep Guardiola’s ‘decline’ is premature and expect Manchester City to bounce back hard in time.
Nico Dijkshoorn’s call about Pep Guardiola’s decline does feel premature. There are reasons for Manchester City having dropped four consecutive games in all competitions. Injuries, fatigue and hungry and determined opponents have beaten City in all four competitions. Dijkshoorn’s call on the difference between Arne Slot’s and Pep Guardiola’s treatment of the media is a matter of opinion. But that isn’t the topic at hand here.
History shows that Manchester City tend to hit back hard from adversity. It has defined them on their way to becoming the dominant force in English football. It has been a regular occurrence to see Pep Guardiola’s side overcome 8-point deficits or similar to claim the Premier League title. Currently, City sit 5 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table after 11 games. But this isn’t new territory. We’ve seen this before. Just when you think Manchester City may falter they respond with a remarkable winning run. That trait comes from their manager and flows down through the players. Once domestic football returns from the international break Pep Guardiola and his team will be hoping to start a similar run against Tottenham at the Etihad.
Calls of Pep Guardiola’s and Manchester City’s decline are premature. It is only November and we have seen this movie before. Ruben Dias said it best with a quote that can be seen below. Nico Dijkshoorn may be enjoying Pep Guardiola’s ‘decline’ for now, but will he feel the same come May? That will interesting to look back upon at the end of the season.
