Who Gets Blame for Man City’s Decline: Players or Manager?

Manchester City’s recent struggles have sent shockwaves through the football world. A team that has dominated the Premier League for years, amassing titles with ease and setting records under Pep Guardiola, now finds itself struggling with inconsistency. For a club that seemed to be invincible just a year ago, questions must be asked: Who is responsible for this decline? Is it the players, whose performances have significantly dropped, or is it the manager, whose tactical decisions and squad management now face criticisms from both fans and pundits?

This in-depth critique explores both perspectives, analyzing where the blame lies and whether the decline stems from player shortcomings, Guardiola’s managerial decisions, or a systemic combination of both.

The Players: A Decline in Execution and Intensity

So, to begin this in-depth critique of the situation affecting one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. Is to look at the players;

Fatigue After Years of Dominance

Manchester City’s players have been at the forefront of English and European football for several years. Core members of the squad like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, and Rodri have played an extraordinary number of high-stakes matches, ranging from Premier League title races to deep Champions League runs. While these players have been key to City’s dominance, they are now showing signs of mental and physical fatigue.

The relentlessness required to sustain Guardiola’s high-intensity playing style appears to be catching up with the squad. Reduced sharpness, slower reactions, and lapses in concentration during matches have all been evident this season, especially in games against teams they were expected to dominate.

The Feeling of Self-satisfaction After the Treble

Winning the treble in the 2022/23 season was the pinnacle of success for Manchester City. However, such unprecedented achievements often come with some unknown consequences. The hunger and desire that drove the team to reach those heights may have waned. Players like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, who were key contributors to the attack last season, have looked less dynamic and decisive in 2024/25 campaign, perhaps because the drive to achieve greatness has temporarily diminished. The result of a squad that sometimes appears to lack the intensity and ruthlessness that made them so formidable.

Key Injuries and Departures

De Bruyne’s and Rodri’s long-term injury early in the season has been devastating for the Citizens. Their ability to dictate games with passing, vision, and leadership has been sorely missed. Without them, City’s attack has lacked the fluidity and unpredictability. Moreover, Alvarez’s move to Atletico Madrid this summer and Mahrez’s transfer to the Saudi Pro League last year has left a potential alternative in City’s attack void. Their ability to score crucial goals, especially in high-pressure moments, was pivotal to City’s success in previous campaigns. The new signings brought in to replace them like Savinho have struggled to replicate their contributions.

Underperforming Stars

Several key players have not lived up to their potential this season, but a few have shown a strong level of inconsistency in games than others which will be discussed below;

Erling Haaland: I start with the Norwegian striker, while still scoring goals, Haaland’s output has dropped compared to his record-breaking debut season. Opponents have adjusted their defensive strategies to limit his space, and City’s midfield has struggled to provide him with the same level of service.

Jack Grealish: Arguably the worst on the list of underperforming stars for the Citizens. After a breakout 2022/23 season, Grealish has shown a long series of inconsistency, failing to impose himself in games.

Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol: The usually reliable defense has looked shaky at times, with costly mistakes creeping into their performances. However, their poor performance on the pitch can be attributed to the injuries they have sustained, leaving them out of games for weeks.

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The Manager: Guardiola’s Responsibility

Tactical Rigidity

Pep Guardiola’s tactical philosophy has revolutionized football, but his insistence on sticking to a possession-heavy approach has been a double-edged sword. While it has brought immense success, it has also made City predictable at times. Opponents have studied Guardiola’s system and developed effective countermeasures, such as compact defensive blocks and quick counterattacks.

This season, City have struggled to break down resolute defenses. Like the match against Juventus in the Champions League, where City failed to score, highlighted their inability to adapt when their usual patterns of play were neutralized.

Overthinking in Big Games

One thing football enthusiasts have come to know about the arguably greatest manager of all time is overthinking. Guardiola has a history of overcomplicating tactics in important matches, and this tendency has resurfaced in 2024/25. For example, experimenting with unconventional formations and deploying players out of position has disrupted the team’s cohesion. This has led to disjointed performances, particularly against top-six rivals.

Squad Management and Recruitment

Guardiola’s squad management has come under heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike this season:

Letting Alvarez and Mahrez Leave: Both players were instrumental in City’s recent success. Their departures have left gaps in leadership and quality, especially in tight matches where experience is crucial.

Limited Squad Rotation: Guardiola’s preference for a small core of players has resulted in overworked individuals. Key players like Rodri and De Brunye have been over-relied upon, leading to dips in performance due to fatigue.

New Signings’ Slow Adaptation: While Guardiola has a track record of improving players, some of the recent signings—like Matheus Nunes and Savinho are still adjusting to the demands of his system.

Motivational Challenges

Sustaining motivation in a team that has won everything is no small task. Guardiola’s demanding managerial style may be losing its edge with some players, particularly those who have been with him for several years. If the players no longer feel the same intensity from the manager, it naturally translates to a lack of urgency on the pitch.

A Combination of Factors: Shared Responsibility

The blame for the struggles and challenges affecting the club can be shared between the players and the manager. However, mutual blame exists between both parties. Manchester City’s decline in form cannot be attributed solely to either the players or Guardiola—it is a combination of systemic issues:

Fatigue, complacency, and injuries have affected their ability to perform at the levels expected of them. Without a doubt, Guardiola’s tactical rigidity, squad management, and motivational challenges have compounded the problem. The Premier League is more competitive than ever, with teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and now Chelsea significantly improving their strategies to counter City’s dominance.

Looking Ahead: How to Fix the Decline

It is not enough to apportion the blame on either the players or solely on Guardiola or even give the blame an equal look but to explore and analyze solutions to the club’s recent challenges so that they can assert their dominance and give football fans those really impressive moments again.

For the Players

The players need to go back within themselves and collectively look for ways to get back the mentality that they have lost which usually helps them to win matches and compete for silverwares. More also, key players like Haaland, Foden and De Brunye must find new ways to impact games as opponents adapt to their strengths.

For Guardiola

On the part of Guardiola, there is the need to Introduce more flexibility in his approach which could help City overcome defensive blocks and counterattacking threats. In addition, Guardiola must speed up the adaptation process for players like Nunes and Savinho, ensuring they contribute meaningfully. Furthermore, in the coming January transfer window, Guardiola should make some recruitment, particularly in midfield, which could help address the void left by Gündoğan and De Bruyne’s absence.

Conclusion: A Charge to Action

Manchester City’s struggles in 2024/25 are a reminder that no team, no matter how dominant, is immune to decline. Both the players and Guardiola must take responsibility for the drop in form. While the road back to the top will not be easy, the combination of Guardiola’s tactical genius and the players’ undeniable quality means that a resurgence is possible.

The decline is not the end of an era but a wake-up call for evolution and adaptation. How City respond will define whether they remain at the summit of world football or become victims of their own success.