Manchester City players still believe in manager Pep Guardiola, says striker Phil Foden, after rivals Manchester United extended their poor run of form.
Guardiola, 53, has won the Premier League four times in a row but Sunday’s derby defeat leaves City fifth in the table and nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand against their title rivals.
Amad Diallo’s final goal meant Guardiola suffered eight defeats in his last 11 games.
“We’re still nowhere near our level but I still believe we’re playing well enough to get points and results,” Foden said.
“It’s about staying focused for the entire 90 minutes, but we always switch off in important moments.” We just have to set the right focus.
“We stick together, regroup and believe in ourselves after what we have achieved in the past.
“We continue to believe in the process and the manager – I’m sure if we can do that, we’ll get back to winning ways and reach our level.”
Guardiola signed a new contract until 2027 during a poor period that began with Tottenham’s Carabao Cup exit on October 30.
How is Man City changing shape? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/vYVlxvAGfH
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2024
This defeat means they now have a free midweek to reflect and recover ahead of Saturday’s tough-looking Premier League game against Aston Villa.
“I can’t say what’s going on,” Foden said after the defeat to United.
“I thought the performance was more than good enough to get the result but we didn’t get any points and at the moment it seems to be the same. We just have to stick together.
“Of course it will be sad and run down in the dressing room at the moment, but we can’t dwell on that for long – we have to try and pick ourselves up again.
“In football there is always another way to do it right.”
City’s trip to Villa at the weekend is followed by a Boxing Day home game against Everton before ending 2024 away to Leicester.
“It’s about keeping our mentality strong for the whole 90 minutes and we’re not doing that at the moment,” said Foden.
“We have to compete again and show character to get out of this crisis.
“It’s not a time to complain – it’s about sticking together, staying strong and carrying on. I’m sure we’ll be back.”
