Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

[Damanino]

I hope he isnt going the Mourinho way.

Mourinho was at his peak at Chelsea then also at Inter. but the Mourinho of last 5 years doesnt come close to the peak one in tactics, ideas, methods. let alone results albeit of course that comes with the sides he is managing, Spurs, rags, Fenerbahce wont do CL trophies and big titles of course.
but compare his Spurs tactics to the Chelsea one at his first stint its night and day.

I really dont like how tactically Pep is dropping big mistakes, forces past it players, emotinally attached way too much to some players even to the point refusing proper recruitment.
is it just a poor one off season or is he going down on a certain way.

his own judgement is changing, he used to be shit hot angry with a misplaced pass 5 years ago in a game where we were 4-0 up as it gave a chance to opponent down the left.
he cannot really do that these days as he will get a stroke given the amount of possession lost due to bad passes, awful first touch etc lol.
but if these are accepted players will keep doing it. you can play horrible annd still play week in week out. you can be past it big time and still be a regular.

Sane, Aguero was benched for lot less back in the day.

also my mind cannot understand how he used to have Ribery, Robben at Bayern and even Sterling, Mahrez, Sane who were great end product specialists from the wing, and now we have wingers who score or assist once in every 10 games on average.

 

[St.Pauli support]

Pep said in his post match presser
"we need more fluidity in the final third
but not by moving more, but by moving less, LESS!"

I like the idea to let the ball do the running
but even then you need runs (by humans) to get some movement into a stable defence in order to create spaces and confusion.

More and more I get the impression Pep isn't properly analyzing the current trends in football. That's not good. We can't go on like that.

I'm also shocked about the bloodless derby performance of his team.
Didn't expect that at all. Worrying.

 

[Bluewars II]

I’ve been quite critical of Pep this season and think he’s made a lot of mistakes. I don’t think he’s given some of the younger players a fair chance, he’s not given the likes of Grealish a fair run after good performances and a more pragmatic counter attacking approach at times might have got more from Savinho, Doku and Foden etc.

That said, his approach has brought unrivalled success to us over the past decade and we were more than due an off season. Injuries and fatigue does go some way to explaining the drop off and I can understand why Pep has no intention of abandoning his principles.

It would be utter madness to get rid of the greatest manager in our history, with the best record of sustained success on the back of this season. He’s extracted the absolute maximum from the likes of KDB, Gundo, Bernardo and Walker and that engine room needs replacing.

There’s no better manager in world football better suited to our upcoming rebuild and it’s crazy that some fans cannot see this.

A clear and concise response to a differing opinion, I respect it and this was my stance after the first poor run of results e.g. the Spurs, Bournemouth and Lisbon games.

"There's no better manager in world football better suited to our upcoming rebuild" this is absolutely false in fact what he has shown is that tactically he has ran out of ideas, he has been out tatic'd by Emery, Slot, Ange, Iraola and Amorin on three occasions this season. He's still using the 22/23 system albeit with inferior players.

He is a manager that prefers a small squad and we're moving into an era where we need to utilize all 25 members of the squad. How ridiculous was it today that he didnt start Nico, Savinho, Khusanov, Grealish or even Doku?
Its not just the 'engine room' that needs replacing its the control room too.

And tbh i dont think he deserves any grace. This is a man who cried on live tv that 'we cannot replace' Aguero, a club legend who deserved one more season and now with KDB who was prepared to accept a lower wage contract, is being told he's no longer needed. I think he walks this summer if he's a man of his word.

 

[HolisticJim]

Yet he will rightly get all of the plaudits during out successes. If he is the main man behind our success (which he is) then he is absolutely the main man behind our failures too

Absolutely, no question at all.

Still, I don't actually think it is Pep who has caused all the issues this year....but he hasn't helped as much as he could either, unfortunately.

 

[thegoatsthegoat]

Absolutely, no question at all.

Still, I don't actually think it is Pep who has caused all the issues this year....but he hasn't helped as much as he could either, unfortunately.

Things like injuries aren't his fault. A lack of rebuild is (he admitted it was on him) a lack of preparation for a Rodri absence after last year where we lost the 3 games he was suspended for is also on him. Playing the old guard is on him, the way we play is absolutely on him. I struggle to see that injuries aside what isn't his fault.

 

[daztrueblue91]

A clear and concise response to a differing opinion, I respect it and this was my stance after the first poor run of results e.g. the Spurs, Bournemouth and Lisbon games.

"There's no better manager in world football better suited to our upcoming rebuild" this is absolutely false in fact what he has shown is that tactically he has ran out of ideas, he has been out tatic'd by Emery, Slot, Ange, Iraola and Amorin on three occasions this season. He's still using the 22/23 system albeit with inferior players.

He is a manager that prefers a small squad and we're moving into an era where we need to utilize all 25 members of the squad. How ridiculous was it today that he didnt start Nico, Savinho, Khusanov, Grealish or even Doku?
Its not just the 'engine room' that needs replacing its the control room too.

And tbh i dont think he deserves any grace. This is a man who cried on live tv that 'we cannot replace' Aguero, a club legend who deserved one more season and now with KDB who was prepared to accept a lower wage contract, is being told he's no longer needed. I think he walks this summer if he's a man of his word.

If there is a failing to be levelled at Pep this season it’s the fact he’s insisted on carrying on with his tactical approach despite not having the players to successfully carry it out. I mentioned in my previous post that I’d have liked to see him be a bit more pragmatic at times.

However, that does not mean he has ran out of ideas. It just means that he hasn’t got the required personnel. Injuries have put an even heavier burden onto an aging midfield and we’ve badly struggled.

We’re a 45 minute team playing a 90 minute game. Pep obviously believes a stronger emphasis on ball retention is the best way to combat the mobility and fatigue issue in the squad. For me, it hasn’t worked but it doesn’t mean his approach is broken.

Just adding two pacy, energetic full backs and the return of Rodri makes us title challengers again IMO.

 

[lol yank]

Pep said in his post match presser
"we need more fluidity in the final third
but not by moving more, but by moving less, LESS!"

I like the idea to let the ball do the running
but even then you need runs (by humans) to get some movement into a stable defence in order to create spaces and confusion.

More and more I get the impression Pep isn't properly analyzing the current trends in football. That's not good. We can't go on like that.

I'm also shocked about the bloodless derby performance of his team.
Didn't expect that at all. Worrying.

Yeah less movement he wants it to be even more turgid. Hence why he keeps playing Bernardo on the right which in itself should be a fireable offense when you have at least three better options

Worrying was six months ago. It’s simply a problem now. How long the problem persists is what remains to be seen. His judgement is beyond worrying.

 

[TonyM]

Pep should have gone and built a new team elsewhere. It would have been better for him than trying to build one here when there's not as much quality in the team already (Kompany, Zabba, Yaya, Silva, Fernandinho, KDB, Aguero) or available to bring in (Ederson, Gundogan, Haaland).

But that is 20 20 hindsight now.

He should still go now though. Not for him but for us. In order for us to make the best of what quality is there with a new voice and a new vision.

Anything he does now is a lame duck given he won't be here long term and there's a lot to do.

 

[BigBluey]

I cannot believe some of the comments on here about wanting Pep to move on. The man deserves our full support and backing. He, I believe has had a tough time on a personal front and as we all are aware the team is also having a massive drop in its usual high standards.
This is when we all need to pull together and provide the support he deserves.
I say give him the chance to get it right and rebuild the team.

 

[lol yank]

I cannot believe some of the comments on here about wanting Pep to move on. The man deserves our full support and backing. He, I believe has had a tough time on a personal front and as we all are aware the team is also having a massive drop in its usual high standards.
This is when we all need to pull together and provide the support he deserves.
I say give him the chance to get it right and rebuild the team.

In all seriousness at what point would you say it would be time to move on? I’m genuinely curious

 

[HolisticJim]

Things like injuries aren't his fault. A lack of rebuild is (he admitted it was on him) a lack of preparation for a Rodri absence after last year where we lost the 3 games he was suspended for is also on him. Playing the old guard is on him, the way we play is absolutely on him. I struggle to see that injuries aside what isn't his fault.

I would think that he will stand at the front and take the flack but I don't actually think the lack of a rebuild is entirely his fault.

Nor do I think that the alarming drop off from so many players is his fault, nor could it have been predicted - you think people predicted that the player of the year last year would suddenly be unable to string a pass together.

Nor are the injuries his fault.
Nor the noise in the press ref the 115,

Im not counting last season as we won the title.

I do think playing the old guard is his fault and I do think the tactical farce this season has been his fault.

Kinda unrelated but I also wonder what his assistance are saying to him when he says he is going to play these players and tactics? Are they all yes men? I genuinely don't know.

Either way, we applauded him for 8 seasons and so we stick with him through this yeasr mistakes but clearly next year there has to be changes.

 

[BigBluey]

In all seriousness at what point would you say it would be time to move on? I’m genuinely curious

As long as it takes or alternatively when Pep decides. Pep like all of us needs support when we’re down. He’s human after all

 

[Damanino]

where is Fernandinho? news were dropped he is joining the staff I thought thats imminent, is it just from the summer?

the backroom staff needs as much new blood set piece coach etc, as the playing squad.

 

[Ric]

Despite everything that he’s achieved with us, he’s not immune from criticism and his team selection was odd today. His loyalty to some players is becoming almost inexplicable. That said, some of the disrespect being shown to our greatest ever manager in this thread is way overboard.

 

[borassic]

I love his loyalty to the players but I find it a little odd and definitely misjudged in places. So much so it’s to the detriment of the team and our perception of Pep. Let’s see what happens next season!

 

[KDB4ever]

Awful awful game, the result was 100% on Pep, no winger today was absolutely criminal. Now I believe that Pep would just play whoever he "trusts" the most in those important games no matter how bad their forms are. Hope this is the last time seeing this Bernado+Kova+Kdb+Gundo+no winger nonsense. If we really want to do the rebuild, then this squad selection should never happen again in the future.

 

[Ric]

In all seriousness at what point would you say it would be time to move on? I’m genuinely curious

If next season is a write off too then I imagine a parting of the ways would be very much on the cards. But that’s a long way off, and he has WAY too much credit in the bank for anyone to be suggesting his time is up now. One bad season in nine is not grounds for getting rid of a generational manager, and thankfully the club are more pragmatic than some fans.

 

[kippax123]

where is Fernandinho? news were dropped he is joining the staff I thought thats imminent, is it just from the summer?

the backroom staff needs as much new blood set piece coach etc, as the playing squad.

I thought it was the start of next season. Cannot wait as i'm sure his impact will be immense.

 

[Ajm1985]

I would think that he will stand at the front and take the flack but I don't actually think the lack of a rebuild is entirely his fault.

Nor do I think that the alarming drop off from so many players is his fault, nor could it have been predicted - you think people predicted that the player of the year last year would suddenly be unable to string a pass together.

Nor are the injuries his fault.
Nor the noise in the press ref the 115,

Im not counting last season as we won the title.

I do think playing the old guard is his fault and I do think the tactical farce this season has been his fault.

Kinda unrelated but I also wonder what his assistance are saying to him when he says he is going to play these players and tactics? Are they all yes men? I genuinely don't know.

Either way, we applauded him for 8 seasons and so we stick with him through this yeasr mistakes but clearly next year there has to be changes.

Pep decides the team and refuses to ever justify it to anyone - it's in the Pep Confidential book. It's part of why he had the big argument with Sterling. Doubt they get much look in

 

[Columbia]

I would think that he will stand at the front and take the flack but I don't actually think the lack of a rebuild is entirely his fault.

Nor do I think that the alarming drop off from so many players is his fault, nor could it have been predicted - you think people predicted that the player of the year last year would suddenly be unable to string a pass together.

Nor are the injuries his fault.
Nor the noise in the press ref the 115,

Im not counting last season as we won the title.

I do think playing the old guard is his fault and I do think the tactical farce this season has been his fault.

Kinda unrelated but I also wonder what his assistance are saying to him when he says he is going to play these players and tactics? Are they all yes men? I genuinely don't know.

Either way, we applauded him for 8 seasons and so we stick with him through this yeasr mistakes but clearly next year there has to be changes.

That’s part of the problem in that Lillo is like weekend at Bernie’s and is basically lifeless and slumped in his chair. Pep needs direction as he’s lost the plot this season and can’t see it.