‘I’m not good enough’, says Pep Guardiola as Manchester City slump goes on with home derby defeat

MANCHESTER – Pep Guardiola admitted he did not see Manchester City’s staggering collapse in form coming and pointed the finger at himself, after

his side conceded twice late on to lose 2-1 to Manchester United in the English Premier League on Dec 15.

City have won just once in 11 games in all competitions, a run that includes eight defeats.

After an unprecedented four consecutive Premier League titles, City’s defence of their crown looks over even before Christmas. Guardiola’s men trail leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, by nine points and sit outside the Champions League places in fifth.

“I don’t have defence, I’m the boss, I’m the manager,” said Guardiola. “I have to find a solution and I don’t find a solution.

“This is a big club, when you lose eight out of 11, something wrong is happening. What can I say? The schedule is tough, the injured players? No.

“I’m the boss, I’m the manager and I’m not good enough. It’s as simple as that.”

The manner of City’s latest loss was one of the most damaging as the English champions were headed for a much-needed victory against their local rivals, thanks to Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header.

However, they self-imploded as Matheus Nunes’ slack pass played in Amad Diallo and the Portuguese midfielder then chopped down the United winger in his attempt to make amends.

Bruno Fernandes, who missed a glorious chance to equalise just minutes before, converted from the penalty spot to draw level on 88 minutes.

Diallo then raced onto a simple long ball over the top to complete United’s remarkable turnaround and deepen a spiralling crisis for their cross-town rivals, who have dominated English football over the past decade.

“I am sitting here in the press conference because of what we have done in the past,” Guardiola said. “I knew that it would be a tough season. From the beginning, I said many times, even when we were winning. But I didn’t expect it would be so hard, like it is right now. I want it, desperately. But eight (losses) out of 11? I’m here to try and will try again and again. That is the reality.”

City midfielder Bernardo Silva was even more critical of his side’s malaise, comparing their mistakes in the final minutes to an Under-15s team.

“At this level, (losing) a game or two is unlucky,” said the Portugal international. “We can’t say this is lucky or unlucky – it’s not about that.

“If we make these stupid decisions with three or four minutes to go, you deserve to pay for that. Today, in the last minute, we played like Under-15s.”

City failed to register a shot on target in the second half, and it was the first time they lost a game they were leading so late on.

Guardiola signed a new two-year contract in November, saying he did not feel he could leave the club at a difficult time, but the crisis has spiralled since then and he is now facing questions over how and when he can reverse their fortunes.

“Today, we have to win that game because apart from Bruno Fernandes nothing happened,” said the Spaniard. “So, we give it away again. If always it’s the same problem, it can be fixed. You say ‘Ah, it’s that player.’ It can be fixed: He doesn’t play. But it’s not that.”

Former United defender Gary Neville felt City are in need of rebuilding, as some of the players have reached the end of the road at the club.

“This is not a time for anybody with knowledge of the game to stick the knife into Manchester City or Pep Guardiola,” the Sky Sports pundit said on his podcast.

“They’ve hit a wall with their manager all at once.

“It happened at United in a number of seasons over a 20-year period where we didn’t win for one or two seasons. Pep Guardiola’s only ever had one season without the title. This may be another one here.

“One or two of them may have to leave, three or four will have to come in, and you’ll see a different City through those changes. It’s not a massive rebuild. It’s just getting the players fit, and getting that sort of adaptation to the squad.” AFP, REUTERS