Manchester City and Pep Guardiola set unwanted records: A historic low in the Etihad era

Following their 4-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions—unanimously regarded as one of the most dominant teams in contemporary football —have ventured into uncharted territory. For the first time since 2006, they have now lost five straight matches in all competitions. 

This alarming plummet highlights the team's present difficulties and sets a series of negative records for its respected manager, Pep Guardiola, which is proving to be unparalleled and quite concerning. 

Examining the records set during this period, the elements causing the sharp drop, and the future of Guardiola and his team as they try to turn the tide will help us to determine the severity of Manchester City's current crisis.

 Five consecutive losses

Throughout his incredible fifteen-year management career, Pep Guardiola has never experienced a run of five consecutive losses in any competition having coached some of Europe's most elite teams, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. 

For a manager known for his tactical sense and consistency, this downturn is particularly alarming since it surpasses his past record of three-straight losses. Given his track record so far, this shows the degree of the squad's challenges under his direction. 

 Three straight league defeats

Since Guardiola's appointment as manager, Manchester City have been relentless in the Premier League. But the club has now experienced the rare situation of losing three straight league games, which has stunned the entire football ecosystem. 

Losses to Tottenham, Newcastle, and Brighton have revealed weaknesses hardly seen in Guardiola's teams, which has led to a distressing drop in form that might have a major impact on their championship defence. 

 Worst defeat

Though it's shocking in its own right, Manchester City's 4-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur also marks the club's worst defeat under Guardiola. This contrasts sharply with City's Etihad resilience reputation, where they had gone unbeaten in 52 straight games. 

This loss is a turning point that could see the team rethink its mental and tactical perseverance going forward. Asides being City's worst home league loss in nearly 20 years, this loss to Tottenham Hotspur is the most humiliating outcome the team has experienced on their own ground since a 5-1 thumping by Arsenal in 2003. It is thus evidence of the extent of the historical fall-off in the club. 

 Quickest two-goal deficit

Beyond getting vanquished, the blue half of Manchester were also given a sobering reminder of the difficulties ahead as they try to recover their prior degree of domestic supremacy. 

The fact that Manchester City trailed 2-0 in the 19th minute—a feat not witnessed in any of their Premier League home games since a 2010 encounter against Everton—highlighted even more their defensive weaknesses and lack of effort throughout this trying period. 

The team's improvidence in conceding these quick goals points to a loss in the precision and concentration that had been their strong points up until then. 

 Haven of counterattacks

The most concerning figure on display from City's most recent performance is their growing susceptibility to counterattacks. 

The team's allowed shot-per-game average from fast breaks has skyrocketed dramatically from 0.66 in the 2022–23 season to 1.17 in the current one. The 4-0 triumph of Tottenham Hotspur was directly the result of this weakness. 

By fast-counter attacking to score all four goals in the game, Spurs capitalised on the cracks in City's once indomitable defensive line. 

 Lowest point tally ever

Thanks to their recent challenges, City are now eight points behind Liverpool in the division. Considering this point total following twelve games is the lowest of any Guardiola-led side at this point of a season, this difference could widen even more when they face leaders Liverpool next weekend. 

 What's gone wrong with Guardiola: Key factors behind City's decline

The reigning champions should be concerned since they now have a major uphill fight to remain competitive with the top teams of the Premier League. 

The team's present performance calls into question their capacity to defend their title. No Premier League team has ever recovered from an 11-point deficit, which a Liverpool victory will establish, to claim the championship at this turning point of the season. 

 The Rodri conundrum

City have won 78% of their games in all competitions since last season with Rodri on the pitch. But a much lower 50% win record when he is not has greatly accelerated their decline. 

Usually considered the best defensive midfielder in the world with a Ballon d'Or to show for it, Rodri's absence to anchor the midfield has exposed City's defensive framework and made their backline vulnerable to continuous pressure, which helps to partially explain their recent challenges. 

 Zero goal threat

Further troubling has been City's offensive output. From the 2.3 goals per game they were averaging earlier in the season, their average in their most recent five games is 0.8 goals per game, a notable drop. This shows a dramatic decline in their attacking capacity. 

Erling Haaland is also on a five-game goal drought, the longest he has experienced since joining the team, further aggravating this offensive downturn. 

The ailing form of some players like Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland present challenges for City, with the club finding it difficult to demolish tenacious defences as a result of the Norwegian's unusual wastefulness in front of goal and Silva's and Foden's lack of inventiveness.

The team's inability to break through well-organised defences is a major spot of bother considering their usual precise accuracy in goal scoring. 

 A bogey team: Guardiola's nemesis

Tottenham have now inflicted nine losses on Guardiola, more than any team. Thus, even if the Cityzens were on a positive run, there was great possibilty they would have been upended by Tottenham. 

While this emphasises Spurs' capacity to take advantage of Manchester City's weaknesses under Guardiola's direction, it also raises questions about the tactical approach employed in these games. 

 A porous defence

With an average of 2.8 goals conceded per game, City's defence has been quite leaky throughout their present losing run. Their remarkable defensive performance earlier in the season—during which they only let in 0.8 goals per game—stands in sharp contrast. 

Their current predicaments can mostly be ascribed to the defence's fragility resulting from injuries to key players like Ruben Dias and insufficient cover from the midfield area. 

 An ageing core

The ageing nucleus of the group has been the reason behind recent performances lacking physical sharpness and intensity. Among teams with players 29 years of age or above this season, City has accumulated the largest percentage of Premier League minutes, above all other clubs. 

The squad's dependence on experienced players could be causing a loss of mobility and vitality, thereby increasing their vulnerability to opponents. 

 Lack of squad depth & poor form

Despite their reputation for great depth in past seasons, injuries to John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri—all of whom are mainstays—have exposed City. Mateo Kovacic has not fulfilled the expectations set by the first eleven.

Generally speaking, Guardiola's limited options—which are related to the lack of depth of the roster—have harmed the team's competitiveness. 

 End of an era

Although Guardiola's managerial record is mostly flawless, the pressure to arrest this slide is getting unbearable. Many are wondering whether City's time as champions is over and, if so, whether they will have to start over again following the signing of his two-year contract extension barely 48 hours before their loss to Tottenham. 

A momentous occasion In Pep Guardiola's time managing Manchester City, this losing run marks a sea change. His reaction to this remarkable drop will decide whether City can recover its former supremacy in English football and whether his reputation as one of the best managers in history remains flawless. 

His dynasty has been unchallenged in recent years due to his persistent success. Previously thought to be the best team in modern Premier League history, Guardiola's Manchester City have shown to have many flaws in the current fall with the 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur a sobering reminder. 

The embarrassing records City have broken during this period attest to the severity of their predicament; the degree to which they can bounce back and start their season is yet a subject of debate. 

One thing is certain, though: this will be considered as one of the most difficult and turbulent times in the club's modern existence. Guardiola's reaction to this drop will define his legacy and the future supremacy of City.