The Solution To Manchester City Crisis: A Puzzle For Pep Guardiola To Unravel

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Over the years, we have seen coaches singlehandedly lead team to football dominance in their domestic leagues and even in European club competitions. These scintillating psychic humans have made football so beautiful and joy to watch season after seasons. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the club's 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League match. Photo Credit: Twitter.


Pep Guardiola, one of the best tactician in football today made his name when he led Barcelona's dominance in the later stages of 2000s when he won 14 major titles which included two Champions League trophies.

Fantastic would definitely be an understatement for this genius, as he has won virtually everything there is to win in club football, ranging from the highly coveted Champions League to various domestic cups and trophies, however, the fact that Pep Guardiola has been unable to replicate his record breaking 2008/2009 season trophy haul with Barcelona remains a puzzle despite the fact that he has been afforded world class teams to manage after leaving the Catalan club.

Bayern munchen is no exception, with the Spaniard unable to win the champions league title, despite inheriting a world class team, however, his travails there would be local success, after wining series of domestic titles consecutively and ensuring the Bavarians dominance in the German topflight.

Then the big test came when the tactical genius was appointed Manchester City manager. It started well locally for the Spaniard with back to back domestic crown from 2017-18. However, the citizens currently find themselves in shambles, currently languishing in the bottom half of the league, 7 places away from the bottom.


Where Did It All Go Wrong FOr The Citizens ?

Firstly, it's a known fact that Mikel arteta acted as the assistant manager under Pep for the Citizens, and huge praises were rained on the man currently at the helm at Arsenal and ever since Arteta left to pursue his coaching career at Arsenal, Manchester City have deteriorated drastically, losing so many points post lockdown, and only been able to register three wins after eight league games this season.


Is Arteta Missed??

Well basically, Pep was fantastic at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and there was no Mikel Arteta, maybe we are wrong. But notwithstanding, then, Pep had midfield maestros that could turn any match to their side, something Manchester City lack, except the ever reliable Kevin de Bruyne. Maybe, just maybe Arteta did some covering up in that aspect.

Moreso, Manchester City have also suffered from the lack of No. 9 syndrome, and Aguero seems to be forming a adhesive relationship on the injury sideline with Gabriel Jesus, which leave the club with a winger starting as a point man, or use a false 9, something that paid dividends for Guardiola at Barcelona with Lionel Messi, but Raheem Sterling doesn't just seem to be in form at the moment, squandering sitters whenever they come his way.

Furthermore, defensive issues have also affected the team terribly, every City defender seem to be a Stoke City class kind of defender, except but a few. The summer arrival of Ruben Dias for close to 70million euros, to try to improve that aspect. We will just wait and see how it works out.


What If There Was A Lionel Messi ?

Truth is, Lionel Messi at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola would be heaven to watch. The little magician has everything in this world to make opponents concede defeat they even before stepping out to the field of play.

However, we have to liken his style of play to the ever relentless Kevin de Bruyne. Both of them are arguably the best two playmakers in the world might just have issues correlating each other.

Having recently signed a contract extension, the solution to Manchester City's crisis is Pep's responsibility and he must have been plotting ways to get these problem solved.


Al-Fuad Sobayo

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