Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are unaccustomed to the idea of losing. A streak of four consecutive defeats, something not seen since 2006—before the club’s takeover—is almost unimaginable for everyone involved, including Guardiola, who had never before experienced three straight losses in a row during his club management career.
Technically, there was one instance at Bayern Munich where he endured a run of four losses, including a penalty shootout defeat to VfL Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal during the 2014/15 season.
So, what does this mean for Manchester City’s chances in the 2024/25 Premier League title race?
Pep Guardiola suggests that City’s title challenge could be over
When asked about City’s potential to secure a record fifth consecutive title, Guardiola gave a mixed response. “Maybe after seven years of winning six Premier Leagues, maybe this year another team deserves it,” he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
He later remarked, “Today in the press conference, I was asked if it was the end of the era. I know people have wanted that for many years.
What we’ve done over these years has been difficult, but if someone wants to beat us, it will happen because in the next 50 years, we won’t win all the Premier Leagues. It’s impossible.”
So, is it over, Pep? Or do Manchester City still have a chance?
Given the current five-point gap between Liverpool and the reigning Premier League champions, we’re unlikely to get a definitive answer until at least the halfway point of the season. For now, Guardiola seems to be using mind games, shifting some of the pressure onto Liverpool and Arsenal.
Arne Slot won’t be swayed by Pep Guardiola’s tactics
Such tactics might work on Arsenal’s more easily rattled manager, Mikel Arteta, but it seems unlikely to have any effect on Arne Slot, who remains composed and focused on the task ahead.
The former Feyenoord manager, who is a calm presence on the touchline—quite the opposite of Jurgen Klopp—has not ruled out the possibility of competing for the title, despite acknowledging that Manchester City and Arsenal are currently the teams to beat.
Slot has made it clear, though, that he is still figuring out his new squad. After a solid 2-0 win over Aston Villa, he commented, “It’s not clear yet in this league because clubs like Arsenal, City, and Chelsea can win many games, as they’ve shown in the last few seasons.”
