Pep Guardiola

‘I’m not going to change’ – Guardiola backs Manchester City to turn their form around

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images via OneFootball

Pep Guardiola does not think Manchester City need to change despite losing their last five games in all competitions.

Recent results have seen City drop to eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, get knocked out of the Carabao Cup and fall outside the top eight in the Champions League league phase.

When asked whether he needs to change anything to halt this downward spiral in form, Guardiola said: “What should I change? What should I change? If I had changed in my first season when I was asked to change we would not have won six Premier Leagues in seven years. Now I’m not going to change.

“We are big believers in the process and the fundamentals we have to do. Injured players have to come back to their best form, players who have played a lot of minutes because of the injuries need rest, one good result can change our mind.

“When we were winning a lot I was thinking this too shall pass and right now this too shall pass. Nothing is eternal. It is unusual basically because this team won a lot during many years. In this situation, we have to go more direct to our principles, change less than ever to give certainty to the players.

“We had 26 shots against Spurs. We had more expected goals than them, we created a lot of chances where teams create few during the season.

“But there are departments where we are not strong enough and that’s why when we lose transitions or don’t win duels and they are stronger than us and we have to run backwards because our four central defenders are not there.”

Guardiola gave a passionate response to the question, and believes this run of form will soon come to an end. “One day we’re going to win a game and our mind will be clear. I hope Tuesday, if not Sunday. The desire is there and we are going to try.”

City face Feyenoord in the Champions League tomorrow looking to rectify their poor form.

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