'End of an era': Pep Guardiola warned he needs to sell 'five or six' regular Man City starters

12/21/2024 07:08 AM

PEP GUARDIOLA has been urged to get ruthless – and radically overhaul his ageing Manchester City squad.

The reigning Premier League champions are in the midst of a horror run heading into the festive period.

Guardiola‘s men have lost ground in the title race and are currently 9 points behind leaders Liverpool.

City have won just once in their last 11 games ahead of a tough trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Pep signed on the dotted line last month, committing to two more years at the Etihad.

And Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claims Guardiola is desperate to “recover the essence of the team.”

First-team regulars Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Ruben Dias, Ederson and Kyle Walker could all be at risk of being moved on in a dramatic overhaul.

Per the Daily Record, Balague said: “Quite clearly Pep Guardiola is going to use the last two years of his contract – which will probably be the last two of his career as a club manager – to prepare a new Manchester City.

“I have got a very clear idea that they will want to get rid of five or six regular starters for Manchester City and bring in five or six new starters.

“Half of the team. It is a new era. The end of this one and a new era starting.“

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Guardiola’s City have won the last four Prem titles but have never endured such a torrid run of form under the Spaniard.

Balague continued: “The cycle is over but remember that only a month-and-a-half ago they had not lost a game and were top of the table.

“But [an upcoming overhaul] in my eyes is what is happening. That is what they are going to do next.”

City threw away a goal advantage in last week’s Manchester derby, leaving Pep to declare both he and the team have “not been good enough.”

Guardiola, who did not emerge from the dressing room for 30 minutes after the game, said: “I'm the boss, I'm the manager and I'm not good enough.

“I'm not doing well – it's as simple as that.

"I need to talk to them about the way we have to play and press and build-up and I'm not good enough.

"I'm the manager and I don't find the solution. In a big club, when you lose eight in 11 something wrong is happening.

“It's my job. My job is not just to win games or lift trophies. I'm incredibly well-paid for that reason.

“We want to play better, create chances. But at the moment it's not possible. There is no defence for eight defeats in 11.”