The Manchester City manager has found a staunch supporter in Barcelona manager Luis Enrique amidst a run of poor results.
Pep Guardiola couldn’t have asked for a better start to life at Manchester City; after all he won each of his first 10 games on the trot, scoring 30 goals and breaking various records – on an individual level as well as for the club – in the process.
And then came 29th September, 2016. Manchester City paid a visit to Celtic in their second Champions League group stage match, which many predicted a straightforward City victory. Except it was anything but straightforward as the English club had to come back from behind thrice in 90 mins to salvage a point with the scoreline ending at 3-3.
The match seemed to have halted City’s momentum, as the club has now gone without a win since the trip to Celtic Park i.e in almost a month; losing three and drawing three.
The six match win-less run is Pep Guardiola’s worst streak of his managerial career while Manchester City’s worst run since 2008.
Naturally, the knives were out and the English media, in their typical fashion, began to criticize Pep Guardiola’s philosophy and playing style.
At the very start of the season, Pep Guardiola had reiterated it will take time for his ideology to be completely implemented with the team. But the media seems to have paid no heed, as they continue to question whether Pep’s type of football is suited for English game or has Premier League’s intensity blown away the manager.
However, there’s one man who continues to back Pep Guardiola to come good; issuing a strongly worded reply to his critics.
Former team-mate and current Barcelona manager Luis Enrique speaking to the press conference ahead of Barcelona’s match agaisnt Granada at the weekend stated critics of Pep are jealous because he’s a winner.
“The critics have to appear because there is nothing worse than watching someone always win. This always generates a lot of jealousy.”
Enrique also urged Pep not be too worried about the naysayers as he’s clear Guardiola’s men will win tittles with his style of good football.
“There is no doubt he will win titles this year and do it playing the same football as the start of the season. Pep will continue winning and with the arms he considers best, which is playing good football.”
While six games without a win is not ideal, it needs to be said City’s team performance in most of the matches in that period were fine bar their poor finishing, which meant they couldn’t secure the three points.
Pep Guardiola will be desperate to end the string of poor results on Saturday, but a trip to Tony Pulis’ West Brom will be far from an easy outing. Manchester City host Barcelona on next Tuesday, and would be hoping to get a positive result going into the big Champions League match.
