Manchester City is in crisis. Pep Guardiola faces one of his toughest tests as a manager.
Manchester City (4.49) have already lost five games in a row, and are behind Liverpool (1.83) in the 2024/25 Premier League.
Early into the season, Liverpool was behind City and Arsenal as per the odds on Easybet. However, City have lost their advantage. Although City’s coach, Guardiola, is no stranger to pressure, this slump is unfamiliar territory for the Spaniard. Fortunately, Sir Alex Ferguson once faced similar challenges. Guardiola can draw valuable lessons from how Ferguson rebuilt Manchester United.
Ferguson’s Mid-2000s Rebuild
Ferguson’s Manchester United ran into challenges after their 2003 Premier League win. The next year, Arsenal’s “Invincibles” took over, while Chelsea dominated the next two seasons under José Mourinho.
Ferguson’s team appeared outdated as key players like Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy departed, drawing heavy scrutiny to his decisions. Nonetheless, Ferguson stuck to his philosophy. He believed in nurturing young talent and adding smart signings. Hence, signed Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom became global stars.
By 2006, United was ready to compete again. They won the Premier League in 2007. Then came back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. Ferguson’s patience and belief in his methods paid off. Showing the soccer world his coaching methods work.
Guardiola’s Current Struggles
Manchester City’s dominance is under threat with Liverpool and Arsenal (4.33) looking strong, and Chelsea (17.44) re-emerging. City’s five-game losing streak has exposed weaknesses.
Guardiola has relied heavily on experienced players, but this time, injuries and fatigue are taking their toll. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri have been sidelined, leaving a noticeable gap in creativity and stability in midfield. De Bruyne’s absence has hampered City’s ability to break down defences with incisive passes, while Rodri’s injury has disrupted the team’s defensive structure and ball retention, leading to inconsistent performances.
Guardiola has shown resilience in the past when he overcame challenges at Barcelona (1.82) and Bayern Munich (1.05). His philosophy has brought City immense success.
Lessons from Ferguson’s Approach
Ferguson adapted to change without losing his identity. Guardiola must do the same. He cannot abandon his principles but must evolve them. Investing in young players could be key like how Ferguson trusted in emerging stars like Ronaldo and Rooney.
City must also strengthen in key areas. A new striker could reduce their reliance on Erling Haaland, and fresh legs in midfield could ease the load on the likes of de Bruyne and Rodri. Patience is essential at this point. Ferguson endured three disappointing seasons in the Premier League before gaining momentum again. Guardiola must weather this storm and trust his process.
Can Guardiola Turn Things Around?
City’s current form is worrying. However, Guardiola’s track record shows he can adapt and rebuild. He has the resources and vision to revive City’s fortunes. Ferguson’s success in the late 2000s was not also instant. It required tough decisions and long-term thinking. Guardiola must embrace a similar mindset.
If Guardiola learns from Ferguson, City could come back stronger. Liverpool may lead now, but the season is long, and nothing is set in stone. Guardiola has time to prove why he is one of the greatest managers in soccer history.
