Pep Guardiola is arguably the greatest manager of all time. His work at Manchester City, in addition to his glittering spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, backs that up. Let’s get that out of the way first.
But his City side are in freefall and, after their 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Everton, continue to look a shadow of the side that has dominated English football in recent years.
This was meant to be the day City got their mojo back. After all, with Everton enduring a difficult campaign, it seemed the perfect fixture for normal service to resume.
When Bernardo Silva put the hosts ahead in the 14th minute, it appeared as though the visitors were in for a rough afternoon. The Portugal international poked City ahead and got the rub of the green, with his deflected strike sailing over Jordan Pickford and into the net.
Pep Guardiola is a man in a world of trouble following Man City’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Boxing Day
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Yet Everton were level nine minutes before half tine, with Iliman Ndiaye finishing expertly with the outside of his boot to spark wild celebrations in the away end.
In previous years, Everton striking wouldn’t be an issue. City usually outscore their opponents, with their attacking football making them such a dominant side.
Usually, you can put your hat on Erling Haaland scoring penalties. But, in another twist to City’s drastic decline, the Norway international spurned the chance to draw blood from 12 yards with Jordan Pickford making a superb save in the second half.
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As the game went on, everybody was waiting for City to wake up. They’re in a seemingly eternal slumber these days, however, and were forced to settle for a point with Everton digging deep.
For Guardiola, more sleepless nights now undoubtedly lie in wait.
This is new territory for the Spaniard. Barring his first season at the Etihad, he has challenged for the Premier League title each and every year. Now, getting into next season’s Champions League is the defending champions’ main objective.
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Serious conversations need to be had. If this was happening at any other Premier League club, the manager’s head would be on the line. It is just one win in 13 for City. Even in that fixture, against Nottingham Forest, they were unconvincing for large periods of the game.
Guardiola recently signed a two-year extension at City but that move looks to be a mistake with each and every passing week.
There is nobody better out there to manage this club. Yet the City hierarchy have to do something, fast, to get to the bottom of the matter.
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Man City took the lead against Everton through Bernardo Silva
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Part of their decline can, of course, be blamed on injuries. Rodri, the best midfielder on the planet, is out for the season. Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker, both key players in the past, were left out of the clash – while goalkeeper Ederson also failed to make the cut.
Still, however, City should be better than this. They have Haaland, Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne. Three of the best players on the planet – yet all three have regressed so much this term they’re almost unrecognisable.
Then there’s their legal battle with the Premier League. Is the club aware of something the world isn’t? That, at least, would add some logical to their sudden spiral.
Man City are fighting to qualify for next season’s Champions League following their Boxing Day draw with Everton
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City just don’t look anything like a team capable of winning the big trophies. They also don’t look like a side that can break into the top four, too, while the likes of Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa continue to punch above their weight.
Guardiola is a genius but his magic is fading. Crunch talks must happen, fast, for a way out of this crisis to be found.
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