Coach Pep Guardiola “wants” to be at Manchester City but still cannot explain why the reigning champions have taken five points in nine games and are six points behind fourth place.
Six-time Premier League winner Guardiola said he congratulated his team after their 1-1 draw at home to Everton on Thursday, extending their dismal run to one win in 13 games in all competitions as they were drawn by opponents , who scored the second goal – fewest goals in the top division.
“I won’t give up,” said Guardiola. “I want to be here and do it. (In) the situation we have, we have to do it. I’d rather not live in this situation, but it is what it is.
“We want to change the dynamic and unfortunately we have not been able to do this for many reasons. Sometimes you think the problem will be easy to fix, but sometimes it takes longer.”
PEP 💬 I always wanted to please people and do good things in my job. It’s easy to understand.
The great tests I did (had). We will come back but we remember how good the past was. That is the trust. This makes me realize now what we did. How many years have (we) been… pic.twitter.com/biYnfPsGtp
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 28, 2024
Guardiola: “No way to explain City’s form.”
Despite dropping points against Everton for the first time in four meetings with the Toffees, City’s recent disappointing performance ended a run of three defeats, including a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United on December 15.
The derby was arguably the most painful of the nine defeats City have suffered since the start of December. There was an 88th-minute equalizer and a 90th-minute winner for United, who had trailed for 51 minutes before claiming their second away win of the Premier League campaign.
“We gave it away in the United game,” admitted Guardiola. “(Against Everton) we were close again. I have no way of explaining it – it happens, it’s life, it’s football.
“We’ll try again. That’s why we had so much success and won many titles: because we performed every three days for many years. Now we have to do the same.”
Leicester (A) over the years ⏮️🌟 pic.twitter.com/PZqwxLk17B
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 28, 2024
Leicester vs Man City
Guardiola’s 500th game as manager takes place at Leicester City on Sunday (2:30 p.m. GMT), where he faces third-placed hosts who have lost their last three games by an aggregate score of 10-1.
“Leicester has always been difficult, but the players will be ready,” predicted Guardiola. “I congratulated the team (after playing against Everton); It was “well played, boys.”
“The only chance we have is to keep going – to recover and prepare well for Leicester.” (We need to) try to stay as calm as possible, read the situation and figure out what we can do, to be better in the next game. That’s what I want to try and do everything.”
A first away win since visiting Wolves on October 20 could lift City to fifth, while a defeat would see them drop to eighth if Fulham avoid a home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday (3pm).
