Pep Guardiola, once hailed as a revolutionary in football management, has experienced a significant downturn in his coaching career during the 2024–25 season. This period has been marked by uncharacteristic challenges and setbacks that have raised questions about the trajectory of his managerial legacy.
Early Success and Tactical Innovations
Guardiola’s coaching journey began with remarkable success at FC Barcelona, where he introduced the “tiki-taka” style—a possession-based approach that emphasized short passing and movement. This strategy led Barcelona to numerous titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League trophies. His subsequent tenure at Bayern Munich further solidified his reputation as one of the world’s leading football tacticians.
Dominance at Manchester City
In 2016, Guardiola took the helm at Manchester City, transforming the club into a dominant force in English football. Under his guidance, City secured four consecutive Premier League titles from 2020 to 2024, showcasing an attacking style that overwhelmed opponents and set new standards in the league.
The Unexpected Decline
The 2024–25 season, however, has been a stark contrast to Guardiola’s previous achievements. The season commenced promisingly, with City maintaining an unbeaten run in their first nine league games. This early form suggested a continuation of their dominance.
The turning point came on October 30, 2024, when Manchester City suffered a 1–2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. This loss initiated a troubling phase, with the team managing only one win in the subsequent thirteen matches across all competitions. This period included an unprecedented run of five consecutive defeats—a first in Guardiola’s managerial career—and marked the club’s worst performance streak since the 2005–06 season.
Key Factors Contributing to the Downfall
Several factors have contributed to this decline:
1. Defensive Vulnerabilities: Injuries to key defenders, including John Stones, Rúben Dias, and Nathan Aké, have severely weakened City’s defensive line. Aké’s extended absence due to a fractured foot, sustained during an FA Cup match against Plymouth, further exacerbated the situation. These injuries left Guardiola with limited options, forcing reliance on less experienced players and disrupting the team’s defensive cohesion.
2. Midfield Instability: The absence of a reliable defensive midfielder has been a significant issue. The acquisition of Nico González from Porto for £50 million was intended to fill this gap. However, González struggled to adapt, with performances characterized by instability and disciplinary issues, as evidenced by his display in the 1–0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
3. Attacking Inconsistencies: While Erling Haaland continued to be a prolific scorer, the departure of Julián Álvarez to Atlético Madrid left a void in the attacking lineup. Álvarez’s impressive performances for Atlético, including a notable goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League, highlighted what City was missing. The lack of a reliable secondary striker made City’s attack more predictable and easier to defend against.
4. Tactical Predictability: Opponents began to decipher Guardiola’s strategies, exploiting spaces left by attacking full-backs and pressing high to disrupt City’s build-up play. This tactical predictability made it challenging for City to break down well-organized defenses.
5. Psychological Factors: The string of poor results led to a dip in team morale. Players appeared to lose confidence, and the usual fluidity in their play was replaced by hesitation and errors. Guardiola’s public acknowledgment of the team’s struggles and his own role in them may have further impacted the squad’s mental state.
Notable Low Points
Several matches epitomized City’s struggles:
– Defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion: On November 9, 2024, City suffered a 1–2 loss to Brighton, marking the first time Guardiola experienced four consecutive defeats in regulation time.
– Heavy Home Loss to Tottenham Hotspur: On November 23, 2024, City endured a 0–4 defeat at home to Tottenham. This was Guardiola’s heaviest home defeat as City’s manager and ended a 52-game unbeaten run at the Etihad Stadium.
– Champions League Exit: City’s elimination from the Champions League on February 19, 2025, after a 3–6 aggregate loss to Real Madrid, was a significant blow. This marked the first time since the 2012–13 season that City failed to reach the round of 16.
