Manchester City’s relationship with losing is a rare one. Under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, the club has developed a near-mythic level of consistency, where even a single loss feels like an event.
The current run of four consecutive defeats—unprecedented since 2006, before the club’s transformative takeover—feels particularly shocking. For Guardiola himself, a coach unfamiliar with extended losing streaks, this moment is especially unusual. In his previous managerial role at Bayern Munich, he had only faced a comparable run of three losses in a row—technically four, if counting a penalty shootout defeat to VFL Wolfsburg in the 2014/15 DFB Pokal as a fourth.
‘I smell it’: Pep Guardiola begins Liverpool mind games but Arne Slot has perfect responseWith the 2024/25 Premier League season now in full swing, such setbacks have raised questions about City’s prospects in the title race. Despite these rare struggles, Guardiola’s recent remarks suggest that he remains philosophical about the challenge of securing a record fifth consecutive title. Speaking to BBC Sport, he acknowledged,
“Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserves it.”
Guardiola also admitted that he could feel the anticipation for City’s era of dominance to end, a sentiment he’s “smelled” for years. Yet he remains realistic, pointing out that expecting to win every title indefinitely is, ultimately, impossible. “If somebody would like to beat us, it’s going to happen,” he conceded. “In the next 50 years, we’re not going to win all the Premier Leagues.”
This self-aware yet defiant response reflects Guardiola’s experience with pressure management. While the current gap of five points between City and Liverpool doesn’t make the title race unwinnable, it does allow Guardiola room for strategic messaging. Rather than declaring defeat outright, he’s subtly shifting the psychological weight of expectation onto rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal. It’s a tactic often used by Guardiola, intended to diffuse pressure from his players and place it instead on competitors.
While Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may feel the strain of this pressure-transfer technique, others may be less affected. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, now an emerging force in the Premier League, exemplifies a calm, collected approach that might render Guardiola’s tactics less effective. Known for his composed demeanor on the sidelines, Slot contrasts with the passionate energy of Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp. Slot remains realistic but undeterred about competing at the top level, admitting that his squad is still finding its rhythm.
After guiding his team to a recent 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Slot offered insight into his competitive mindset: “It’s not certain in this league because clubs like Arsenal, City, and Chelsea can win a lot of games, as they’ve shown over the past seasons,” he told reporters. “So, we’re focused on ourselves. A win against a strong side like Villa, who’ve done well in recent years, is always valuable.”
With a season still young and a competitive top tier of Premier League teams, City’s title chances may be questioned, but certainly not dismissed. Guardiola’s reflective statements serve as a calculated move within the chessboard of the Premier League—both acknowledging the weight of history and challenging his rivals to measure up.
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