Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are largely unfamiliar with the idea of a losing streak.
Their recent run of four consecutive defeats—a rarity not seen since 2006, before the club’s takeover—has certainly been unsettling, especially for Guardiola, who had only ever lost three games in a row in his previous club role.
Technically, he did experience a four-game streak (if you count a penalty shootout loss to VFL Wolfsburg with Bayern Munich in the 2014/15 season).
But what impact does this slump have on City’s hopes for the 2024/25 Premier League title?
Guardiola hinted that City’s title challenge might be in jeopardy. In a BBC Sport interview, he remarked, “Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it.”
He added, “Today in the press conference I was asked if it was the end of the era. I know people want that. I smell it for many, many years.
What we have done in these years, people have said it’s so difficult, but if somebody would like to beat us it is going to happen because in the next 50 years we’re not going to win all the Premier Leagues. It’s impossible.”
Is City’s dominance truly over, or do they still have a shot? With a five-point gap between City and current leaders Liverpool, it’s hard to predict. Guardiola might be using this uncertainty to add pressure to Liverpool and Arsenal as the season progresses.
Yet, it’s unlikely that Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot will be fazed by any of Guardiola’s mind games. Unlike Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, who might be more susceptible, Slot—composed and calm on the touchline—seems unbothered by such tactics. He hasn’t ruled out a title push, though he acknowledges City and Arsenal set the standard.
In the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Slot commented on his approach: “It’s not sure yet in this league because Arsenal, City, Chelsea, all these clubs… are able to win so many games… So, we are only focused on ourselves.”
It’s Guardiola’s move again, but whether his psychological tactics will work against Slot remains to be seen.
