Pep Guardiola has reached one of the lowest points of his illustrious tenure as Manchester City manager following a disheartening 3-1 defeat against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. This loss marks a significant moment as Bodo/Glimt achieved their first victory in the Champions League main draw, putting Guardiola's squad under unprecedented pressure.
The match, held amidst freezing weather conditions in front of 8,000 fans, came on the heels of a 2-0 loss to Manchester United just days prior. City is now struggling with only two wins in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Why Pep Guardiola Might Consider Leaving Manchester City
The latest defeat means Manchester City now faces an uphill battle to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase and qualify for the Champions League knockout stage, following an essential upcoming match against Galatasaray. Furthermore, they trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by seven points.
Midfielder Rodri's red card added to the woes, as Guardiola stated, "Today was an incredible opportunity for us but everything is going wrong, going against us in many details." He emphasized the need for change but acknowledged the mounting difficulties.
Guardiola's contract is set to run until the summer of 2027. Despite his impressive record of 14 major trophies with City since 2016, he appears troubled by the team's performance decline, which threatens their season.
Amidst this turmoil, pundit Richard Keys mentioned the possibility of Guardiola resigning before the next match against Wolves. He hinted that former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been earmarked as his successor.
"I think it's nailed on that he's gone at the end of the season," Keys stated on beIN Sport, heightening speculation about Guardiola's immediate future.
There are even suggestions he could leave as soon as this week. If that happens, Maresca is expected to step in for the Wolves fixture. The potential for a sudden managerial change poses high stakes for the club.
While Guardiola previously signed his contract extension in 2024, aiming to guide City through tough times, there is a growing sense that he may be at a breaking point after nearly a decade at the pinnacle of English football.
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