Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted responsibility for his team’s lackluster performance this season. The reigning Premier League champions have won just two of their last ten league matches, leaving them sixth in the standings with 31 points from 19 games.

City now trail league leaders Liverpool by 14 points, with the Reds holding a game in hand. Guardiola’s squad has been plagued by injuries, including key players like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, goalkeeper Ederson, and defenders John Stones and Ruben Dias.

Speaking ahead of today’s home fixture against 13th-placed West Ham United, Guardiola said:

“There are many, many things, and I missed something – something I am not doing well. When you lose a lot of games, it is an incredible responsibility for the manager to take. There is something the team needs, and confidence, and I was not able to provide it.”

Guardiola Reflects on His Role

Guardiola emphasized that the blame lies with him and not the players. He acknowledged that confidence naturally fluctuates but insisted that it was his job to guide the team through challenging periods.

“The call is on me first, not the players. They naturally drop a little bit, and that is normal. It happened a little bit last season as well. I blame myself. It’s not about trying to look humble – it’s the truth. I lead this group, and I couldn’t lift them. That’s the reality.”

Aiming for Back-to-Back Wins

City will aim to build momentum with a second consecutive victory after defeating relegation-threatened Leicester City 2-0 last weekend. A strong performance against West Ham could mark a turning point as Guardiola works to restore his team’s confidence and reclaim their competitive edge.

ALSO READ:Alejandro Garnacho wins Puskás award for spectacular Bicycle Kick goal