Pep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that perhaps another team deserves to win the Premier League, given City’s long period of dominance.
The Blues have claimed six of the last seven Premier League titles, including a streak of four consecutive wins. However, they now trail league leaders Liverpool by five points after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
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This marks the first time in his 17-year managerial career that Guardiola has lost four matches in a row (excluding shootouts). It’s also City’s first four-match losing streak in 18 years, dating back to when Stuart Pearce was in charge.
In recent weeks, City have been beaten by Bournemouth and Brighton in the league, Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, and Sporting in the Champions League.
“We have to try and win games again,” Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day. “Four [defeats] in a row. We have to change things quick.
“The schedule becomes tough but it [winning games] is going to happen when the players come back.”
He added: “Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it.”
Manchester City’s injury crisis deepens, with Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish – despite his England call-up – all sidelined, in addition to long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.
With centre-backs Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji only fit for the bench, Guardiola was forced to give 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey his first Premier League start in defence.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “This is sport. Sport is not always sunrises. It is not always good moments.
“Today in the press conference I was asked if it was the end of the era. I know people want that. I smell it for many, many years.
“What we have done in these years, people have said it’s so difficult, but if somebody would like to beat us it is going to happen because in the next 50 years we’re not going to win all the Premier Leagues. It’s impossible.”
Guardiola’s previous record of three consecutive losses came during his time at Bayern Munich, followed by a fourth defeat in a shootout in the 2014-15 season.
Before this current run, his worst spell as Manchester City manager had been three straight defeats.
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