Manager Pep Guardiola “wants to be” at Manchester City but remains unable to explain a run of five points from nine games that has left the reigning champions six points off fourth place.
Six-time Premier League winner Guardiola said he had 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 held by opponents who have scored the second-fewest goals in the top flight.
“I will not give up,” said Guardiola. “I want to be here and do it. [In] the situation we have, we have to do it. I prefer not to live in this situation, but it is what it is.
“We want to change the dynamic and unfortunately we could not do it, for many reasons. Sometimes you expect it will be easy to fix it but sometimes it will take more time.”
PEP 💬 I have always wanted to please the people and do good in my job. It’s easy to understand.
The great tests I have [had]. We will come back but we remember how good the past was. That’s the trust. That makes me realise now what we have done. How many years [we] have been… pic.twitter.com/biYnfPsGtp
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 28, 2024
Guardiola: ‘No way to explain’ City form
Despite dropping points to Everton for the first time in four meetings with the Toffees, City’s latest underwhelming performance ended a run of three defeats that included a 2-1 home loss to Manchester United on December 15.
Arguably the most painful of the nine defeats City have suffered since the start of December, the derby featured an 88th-minute equaliser and 90th-minute winner for United, who had been behind for 51 minutes before collecting their second Premier League away win of the campaign.
“In the United game, we gave it away,” acknowledged Guardiola. “[Against Everton], we were close again. I don’t have a way to explain – it happens, it’s life, it’s football.
“We will try again. That’s why we have had so much success and won a lot of titles: because [of performing] every three days for many years. Now we have to do the same.”
Leicester (A) through the years ⏮️🌟 pic.twitter.com/PZqwxLk17B
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 28, 2024
Leicester vs Man City
Guardiola’s 500th game in charge will be at Leicester City on Sunday (2.30pm GMT), facing hosts who are third-bottom of the table after losing their last three matches by an aggregate score of 10-1.
“Leicester have always have been difficult but the players will be ready to do it,” predicted Guardiola. “I congratulated the team [after playing Everton]; it was ‘well played, guys’.
“The only chance that we have is to continue – recovery and prepare well for Leicester. [We must] try to be as calm as possible, read the situation and work out what we can do to be better in the next game. This is what I want to try and all I want to do.”
A first away win since they visited Wolves on October 20 could lift City as high as fifth, while defeat would drop them to eighth if Fulham avoid losing at home to Bournemouth on Sunday (3pm).