Pep Guardiola is facing intense scrutiny and calls to resign as Manchester City manager after nearly a decade of leading the club. The criticism comes after two shocking defeats in the past week, raising questions about City’s form and Guardiola’s long-term vision.
TalkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham delivered a harsh assessment of Guardiola’s current situation, citing the consecutive losses as evidence that the manager’s era at City may be approaching a critical turning point.
Manchester City’s Week of Disappointment
Manchester City’s recent defeats have shaken fans and pundits alike. On Saturday, January 19, 2026, City suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to their historic rivals, Manchester United, at Old Trafford. Just three days later, City faced an even more unexpected setback, falling to Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League.
Despite Guardiola’s impressive record of 18 trophies since joining City in the summer of 2016, Durham believes the manager now has a moral obligation to offer his resignation. The stakes are high: City is in danger of failing to finish in the top eight of the Champions League group stage while also trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by seven points.
Comparing Guardiola’s Situation to Wenger’s Final Years
During the talkSPORT Daily podcast, Fiery Fridays, Durham drew a striking comparison between Guardiola’s current troubles and Arsène Wenger’s final years at Arsenal.
“Pep Guardiola has been extraordinary, but he isn’t anymore. It reminds me of the Wenger era. Wenger was brilliant for a long time, but eventually, he stopped being brilliant,” Durham explained.
“At that point, it was time to go, but he stayed too long. Guardiola should now offer to step down, and here’s why,” he added.
Durham emphasized that managers carry a moral responsibility when their teams experience humiliating results.
“I strongly believe that any manager leading a team that suffers shocking defeats—whether in a domestic cup or in a league match they should win—has a duty to offer their resignation. That doesn’t mean it will be accepted, and it doesn’t mean they must leave,” Durham said.
“It simply means the manager acknowledges: ‘I am responsible. This is my fault. I give you the opportunity to support me or remove me.’ Guardiola’s time to do that has come.”
Tactical Struggles, Key Absences, and Foden’s Dip in Form
Durham also criticized City’s tactical approach and player management, highlighting the squad’s vulnerabilities exposed in these recent defeats.
“You can have one poor match; that’s fine. You can even lose due to bad luck. But these two performances—against United and Bodo/Glimt—were different,” Durham said.
“These matches could have easily ended in five or six goals conceded. This isn’t bad luck. This is poor football and poor management,” he added.
Injuries to key midfielders, such as Rodri, and the underwhelming form of Kalvin Phillips, have compounded City’s struggles.
“Rodri has barely played in the last 18 months due to injury. Nico Gonzalez is out, and Rodri has returned but looks nothing like the Ballon d’Or-caliber player he once was. Was he rushed back too soon?” Durham questioned.
“And amid all this, why is no one asking about Kalvin Phillips? He earns £150,000 per week. Coaches like Marcelo Bielsa and Gareth Southgate could maximize him, but Guardiola hasn’t,” he added.
The performance of Phil Foden also drew scrutiny. “Against Bodo, the young star had zero impact and was taken off. He looked completely lost. England needs him at his best. Pep, what are you going to do about that?” Durham asked.
Fullback Experiments and Haaland’s Decline
Guardiola’s experimentation with fullbacks has also backfired. Rayan Ait-Nouri is struggling for minutes while central defenders are being forced to cover fullback roles.
“Pep’s obsession with not using a traditional fullback has truly come back to haunt him. Rayan Ait-Nouri must be wondering what’s happening to his football world. He looked brilliant at Wolves; now he looks… like me. Confused but trying!” Durham remarked.
However, the most intense criticism is reserved for Erling Haaland. The world’s most prolific striker has struggled to find form in recent matches.
“The best goalscoring machine in the world is now severely underperforming under this manager. You, me, anyone could get Haaland scoring—Pep Guardiola cannot,” Durham said.
Durham concluded with a strong statement: “I am not saying his resignation should be accepted, but he must offer it.”
Haaland has not scored from open play since his brace against West Ham on December 20, 2025, adding further pressure on Guardiola, whose contract extends until the end of the next season.
Conclusion: Guardiola’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
While Guardiola’s achievements at Manchester City remain remarkable, the recent setbacks have prompted questions about whether the time has come for change. With City struggling in both domestic and European competitions, pressure is mounting from fans, pundits, and the media alike.
Whether Guardiola will respond by stepping down or attempting to reverse the slide, one thing is clear: Manchester City faces a critical juncture in its history. For now, the football world watches closely, debating the future of one of the game’s most iconic managers.
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