Guardiola carried an air of dejection following the derby loss.
image credit: Aya
Pep Guardiola, a manager known for his tactical brilliance, now faces one of the toughest challenges of his Manchester City tenure.
A dramatic late collapse in the Manchester derby handed City a stunning 2-1 defeat, leaving Guardiola visibly frustrated and admitting, “I am not good enough.”
A Nightmare at the Etihad
For much of the match, it seemed like City would grind out a win. Josko Gvardiol’s 36th-minute header, albeit via a deflected cross, gave them the lead. Yet even then, Guardiola’s muted reaction hinted at his dissatisfaction.
Sitting alone at halftime, sipping water with closed eyes, he looked more concerned than celebratory—a reflection of City’s growing struggles this season.
City’s collapse began in the 88th minute when a mistake by Matheus Nunes gifted possession to Amad Diallo, who was then fouled in the box. Bruno Fernandes stepped up to equalize from the penalty spot, sparking United’s late revival.
Just two minutes later, a seemingly routine long ball from Lisandro Martinez left City’s defense flat-footed and Ederson out of position. Diallo capitalized from a tight angle, sending shockwaves through the Etihad.
This was no ordinary loss. It marked the latest point in any Premier League match where reigning champions led but ultimately lost. It was also a rarity under Guardiola—only the fourth time in 105 home games that City lost after leading at halftime.
Guardiola’s Brutal Self-Critique
Speaking to Match of the Day, Guardiola pulled no punches in assessing his own performance. “I am not good enough. I am the boss. I am the manager. I have to find solutions, and so far I haven’t. That’s the reality,” he said, his words underlining the severity of the situation.
The defeat leaves City with eight losses in the past two seasons, a stark contrast to the dominance they once enjoyed. Guardiola also acknowledged the resilience of their rivals: “Manchester United were incredibly persistent. We can’t defend this.”
Cracks in City’s Armor
Guardiola’s City have set remarkable standards in recent years, dominating English football with their attacking style and defensive discipline. But this season, cracks are beginning to show. Defensive lapses, like the one that allowed United’s winner, have become more frequent.
Ederson, once a model of consistency, now appears vulnerable under pressure.
The lack of creativity in midfield is also glaring. Nunes’ error highlights a deeper issue—City’s struggles to control games in the way Guardiola demands. While the absence of Kevin De Bruyne due to injury has been significant, the squad’s depth has not delivered the solutions expected.
A Daunting Rebuild Ahead
Guardiola’s admission of personal failure reflects the weight of expectation at City. While he remains one of the game’s most decorated managers, even he is not immune to scrutiny.
With the Premier League title race slipping further away, a major rebuild looms. Guardiola must reinvigorate his squad, address defensive fragilities, and restore City’s aura of invincibility.
As the dust settles on this derby defeat, one thing is clear: Guardiola and Manchester City are facing their most significant test in years. Whether they can rise from this setback and reclaim their dominance will define the next chapter of their story.