Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

[kippaxchris]

You claimed his use of Echeverri was down to his ego, when you have no information whatsoever about his or others performances in training.

That is idiocy on a level that suits a fan at Old Trafford.

Ahh the old.... I don't agree with you so you must be a rag comment, turn it in.

 

[meeesh]

You claimed his use of Echeverri was down to his ego, when you have no information whatsoever about his or others performances in training.

That is idiocy on a level that suits a fan at Old Trafford.

A good quiz question in years to come, there. Cant be many, if any that have made their debut in an FA Cup final

 

[bluegaz13]

On him again. Players carried put his instructions, his instructions arent working and haven't all season.

Said a few days ago in the pre-match thread O'Reilly cannot play left back as he'll get targeted and exposed in behind and look how they get their goal. If I can see that, there's no chance pep cannot and palace manager clearly did.

On the other flank Akanji was on the ball too much, not his fault, it's not his position but why didn't he at least bring on Nunes if not start him who is much more comfortable on the ball and will actually get down the line and put a cross In? 1 change, Nunes for O'Reilly, gvardiol shifts across, akanji goes cb and Nunes comes in at right back and we instantly look both more secure and more dangerous.

Savinho didn't have a good game other than a 10 minute spell where he could have had 3 assists but soon as he took him off for the entirely left footed foden any chance of a cross from that side vanished, it was an awful sub to make.

I think anyone who plays the inverted full back is susceptible to the ball over the top, trying to combine a midfield role with being a defender…..look at Gvardiol earlier this season.

Totally agree about Akanji having too much of the ball….he didn’t help Savinho (who was awful) by not trying to overlap and constantly delayed the pass to him.

 

[Cityfan]

Ahh the old.... I don't agree with you so you must be a rag comment, turn it in.

No, it's quite simple.
A deduction that a substitution is based on ego when one has literally no idea how they have performed in training and settled in with the squad is simply an irrational dislike. It is not a logical deduction.
Irrational dislike of our manager is more in keeping with the environs of Old Trafford than a City discussion board.

 

[Dax777]

It's the players who can't play at the tempo or with the skills required.

De Bruyne is the only one who tries to make things happen, but he is past his best. Do you think Pep allows him to attempt to take risks but nobody else is allowed?

Pep's philosophy has always been, to control the ball and get the players into the final 3rd, then it's up to them to deliver.

We will see next season, if we're get the correct players in. And don't forget how important Rodri is to this team. I wouldn't write old baldy off just yet.

Im not writing him off. Like i said, I am not a 'Pep out' advocate coz i genuinely cant say I know a manager who has his clout.. I don't. And i believe ae need that clout to attract great talent.

But i haven't seen much special about his actual coaching or managing in the last year. His tactics, his player development, his eye for knowing when a player is ready, and where to play such a player to take advantage of his best attributes and accentuate his strengths etc. are at best average now.


All he does now is tinker and tinker endlessly. Sometimes stumbles onto something effective then he tinkers past it the next few weeks until he stumbles back into stupor.

Little sense of when a player is ready. I mean, he lucked into O'Reilly as a left back and then ignored the idea for weeks as we sucked until injury forced his hand. Same with Khusanov.

He played Bernado on the R-Wing numerous times long after everyone could painfully tell this was ineffective coz Bernie doesn't have the speed to ghost past anyone anymore.

Consistently declined to move an actual CB, Gvardiol to CB because he wasn't sure he could do it. When it was painfully obvious from both history and his skill ser that he can.

His ability to reap the rewards of Lucky breaks and lucky discoveries is underwhelming. As he tries something, it works, then he immediately dumps it for some new genius idea.

I personally now rate him mainly for his ability to attract talent. His actual performance, decision making, substitution patterns in my amateur opinion are average.

I mean, here is a simple example - Why is Kevin still taking corners whenever Marmoush is playing?

We know from watching his Geeman tape he is good at taking corners. We know from a full season of Kev, that he has lost that touch. And the few corners Omar has taken here are some of the best we've seen.

Why has that basic change not been made?

Why cant he tell that Doku and O'Reilly doesn't work coz they occupy the same space?

Why cant he tell Omar is beat inside left and Fodem inside right with both needing overlapping full backs. Why are these obvious concepts evading him?

He has, in my opinion, gotten too enamored with his own genius.... I for one, im over it.

Greatest Football mind i have ever seen. But he is back amongst thd pack now. :(

 

[kippaxchris]

No, it's quite simple.
A deduction that a substitution is based on ego when one has literally no idea how they have performed in training and settled in with the squad is simply an irrational dislike. It is not a logical deduction.
Irrational dislike of our manager is more in keeping with the environs of Old Trafford than a City discussion board.

Why is it an irrational disliking of our manager though? Just because you think it is, doesn't mean it is. You've been mentioning in different comments stuff like....

Idiocy that suits a fan of Old Trafford.
You would lower the IQ of Old Trafford.
Keeping with the Environs of Old Trafford.

What's with your obsession of Old Trafford?

 

[Dax777]

You claimed his use of Echeverri was down to his ego, when you have no information whatsoever about his or others performances in training.

That is idiocy on a level that suits a fan at Old Trafford.

It is. Yes, Echeveri could be phenomenal. From what i actually saw in those few minutes, it very well looks like he will be phenomenal.

But if there ever were a game, not to play him in his debut, id be in a cup final.

If any other manager pulled this nonsense, we'd bury him for being naive...

But its Pep. So he can do it without being questioned. That's the ego.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

It is. Yes, Echeveri could be phenomenal. From what i actually saw in those few minutes, it very well looks like he will be phenomenal.

But if there ever were a game, not to play him in his debut, id be in a cup final.

If any other manager pulled this nonsense, we'd bury him for being naive...

But its Pep. So he can do it without being questioned. That's the ego.

He looked at the bench for someone to try to operate in the tight spaces and one man fit the bill…so he used him and it almost paid off!

 

[kippaxchris]

It is. Yes, Echeveri could be phenomenal. From what i actually saw in those few minutes, it very well looks like he will be phenomenal.

But if there ever were a game, not to play him in his debut, id be in a cup final.

If any other manager pulled this nonsense, we'd bury him for being naive...

But its Pep. So he can so it without being questioned. That's the ego.

I get what your saying with the ego thing. We the fans have been asking for Echeveri to play since January & he has had no chance. Then all of a sudden today it's like Pep thought if I sub him on and he scores I look great.

It's madness I know but that's the way I viewed it.

 

[Dax777]

He looked at the bench for someone to try to operate in the tight spaces and one man fit the bill…so he used him and it almost paid off!

Let's hope he gets minutes the final 2 games.

 

[youngbob]

Plays Ederson away at Bournemouth in the quarters. Drops him for the semi-final and the final.

Finally gets Nunes into good form, drops him for the FA Cup final.

Finally gets Gundogan into decent form, drops him for the final as well.

Finally works out a system that works with this set of players, completely changes it.

Decides we won't be needing De Bruyne in four weeks, but starts him in the final.

Spends £30m on Khusanov, plays him week in week out, suddenly drops him and can't get back in.

Finally gets a settled back four of Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, and O'Reilly, changes it for the final.

Finds out Kovacic is injured before the final and reacts by playing no defensive midfielders at all.

Starts Rico Lewis in the semi-final, Lewis scores, and Pep responds by cutting him out altogether.

Spends £60m on Marmoush, a centre-forward, and plays him everywhere except centre-forward.

Realises Doku is best as a late impact sub - puts him on at half-time and starts him in the next two games.

Freezes Grealish out but suddenly decides to play him in the semi-final, then drops him again for the final.

Spends £60m on a new CM, calls him a 'mini Rodri', and then never plays him - even when other DMs are injured.

Brings in Echeverri, leaves him out of every squad since his signing, suddenly chucks him on to rescue a cup final.


He's lost his massive mind.

 

[Damanino]

want a full scale change in his staff. set piece coach, GK coach, Lillo and Lillo's number two. all can be thanked their contribution.
its like expiration date. normal thing.

 

[Dax777]

Plays Ederson away at Bournemouth in the quarters. Drops him for the semi-final and the final.

Finally gets Nunes into good form, drops him for the FA Cup final.

Finally gets Gundogan into decent form, drops him for the final as well.

Finally works out a system that works with this set of players, completely changes it.

Decides we won't be needing De Bruyne in four weeks, but starts him in the final.

Spends £30m on Khusanov, plays him week in week out, suddenly drops him and can't get back in.

Finally gets a settled back four of Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, and O'Reilly, changes it for the final.

Finds out Kovacic is injured before the final and reacts by playing no defensive midfielders at all.

Starts Rico Lewis in the semi-final, Lewis scores, and Pep responds by cutting him out altogether.

Spends £60m on Marmoush, a centre-forward, and plays him everywhere except centre-forward.

Realises Doku is best as a late impact sub - puts him on at half-time and starts him in the next two games.

Freezes Grealish out but suddenly decides to play him in the semi-final, then drops him again for the final.

Spends £60m on a new CM, calls him a 'mini Rodri', and then never plays him - even when other DMs are injured.

Brings in Echeverri, leaves him out of every squad since his signing, suddenly chucks him on to rescue a cup final.


He's lost his massive mind.

And here in bitter detail is that thing that has been knawing at me and possibly everyone else all season. Yet my deep love for Pep has made me denied it to myself.

Sorry guys, the fever has just broken for me.

I am saddened by my own criticism. :(


This is NOT how i want to feel about the greatest manager of All time. And i thought that before he ever joined us. :(

 

[madloaf]

He's the best manager in the world, who's gonna finish 6th in a 5 team league and lose a cup final because we play the most fucking boring football in the league. Mcfc not pepfc. 15 months and counting.

 

[Blue2202]

want a full scale change in his staff. set piece coach, GK coach, Lillo and Lillo's number two. all can be thanked their contribution.
its like expiration date. normal thing.

A change in back room staff won’t prevent him from prioritising ego over pragmatism in what team and system he selects in big games.

He’s always made big changes in high profile finals to appear a genius if they pay off.

He did it in CL final in 2021, he did it yesterday and he’ll continue to do it if he stays. He can’t help himself, he’s an addict to feeding his ego.

 

[TFC]

Plays Ederson away at Bournemouth in the quarters. Drops him for the semi-final and the final.

Finally gets Nunes into good form, drops him for the FA Cup final.

Finally gets Gundogan into decent form, drops him for the final as well.

Finally works out a system that works with this set of players, completely changes it.

Decides we won't be needing De Bruyne in four weeks, but starts him in the final.

Spends £30m on Khusanov, plays him week in week out, suddenly drops him and can't get back in.

Finally gets a settled back four of Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, and O'Reilly, changes it for the final.

Finds out Kovacic is injured before the final and reacts by playing no defensive midfielders at all.

Starts Rico Lewis in the semi-final, Lewis scores, and Pep responds by cutting him out altogether.

Spends £60m on Marmoush, a centre-forward, and plays him everywhere except centre-forward.

Realises Doku is best as a late impact sub - puts him on at half-time and starts him in the next two games.

Freezes Grealish out but suddenly decides to play him in the semi-final, then drops him again for the final.

Spends £60m on a new CM, calls him a 'mini Rodri', and then never plays him - even when other DMs are injured.

Brings in Echeverri, leaves him out of every squad since his signing, suddenly chucks him on to rescue a cup final.


He's lost his massive mind.

This just the recent stuff, been head scratcher after head scratcher this season :(

 

[Zabbasbeard]

On him again. Players carried put his instructions, his instructions arent working and haven't all season.

Said a few days ago in the pre-match thread O'Reilly cannot play left back as he'll get targeted and exposed in behind and look how they get their goal. If I can see that, there's no chance pep cannot and palace manager clearly did.

On the other flank Akanji was on the ball too much, not his fault, it's not his position but why didn't he at least bring on Nunes if not start him who is much more comfortable on the ball and will actually get down the line and put a cross In? 1 change, Nunes for O'Reilly, gvardiol shifts across, akanji goes cb and Nunes comes in at right back and we instantly look both more secure and more dangerous.

Savinho didn't have a good game other than a 10 minute spell where he could have had 3 assists but soon as he took him off for the entirely left footed foden any chance of a cross from that side vanished, it was an awful sub to make.

Nunes would have been a better choice on the right wing than Savinho.

 

[mexico1970]

Plays Ederson away at Bournemouth in the quarters. Drops him for the semi-final and the final.

Finally gets Nunes into good form, drops him for the FA Cup final.

Finally gets Gundogan into decent form, drops him for the final as well.

Finally works out a system that works with this set of players, completely changes it.

Decides we won't be needing De Bruyne in four weeks, but starts him in the final.

Spends £30m on Khusanov, plays him week in week out, suddenly drops him and can't get back in.

Finally gets a settled back four of Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, and O'Reilly, changes it for the final.

Finds out Kovacic is injured before the final and reacts by playing no defensive midfielders at all.

Starts Rico Lewis in the semi-final, Lewis scores, and Pep responds by cutting him out altogether.

Spends £60m on Marmoush, a centre-forward, and plays him everywhere except centre-forward.

Realises Doku is best as a late impact sub - puts him on at half-time and starts him in the next two games.

Freezes Grealish out but suddenly decides to play him in the semi-final, then drops him again for the final.

Spends £60m on a new CM, calls him a 'mini Rodri', and then never plays him - even when other DMs are injured.

Brings in Echeverri, leaves him out of every squad since his signing, suddenly chucks him on to rescue a cup final.


He's lost his massive mind.

Yeah, yeah, yeah

But apart from that?

;-)

 

[I'm Blue]

Having calmed down, well calmer anyway.
I’ve had time to reflect.
I kept seeing things like ‘time for Pep to go’ and ‘it’s gone stale’ earlier on and I honestly thought these comments were complete madness.
But having time to reflect I’m beginning to think it’s not as mad as I first thought.
This season we’ve been ravaged by injuries and on the back of 4 in a row I’ve given a lot of leeway.
But when you step back and now look at how far away we are from what we once were, it’s night a day.
Under Peo we used to play at a high intensity, quick passing, lots of movement and create a lot of chances.
Add to that the way we used to press fast and hard in packs until we won the ball back quickly.
When was the last time we played like that consistently?
18 months ago or more?
It has gone stale, but only cos we don’t play the Pep way anymore.
I get we’ve got an aging squad, but Pep looks done in also.
There’s also players not good enough and being honest it looks like at least 50% of the squad needs to go.
We ain’t doing that in one window.
So by the time Pep gets the players he wants and needs it’ll be pretty much time for him to leave.
‘If’ there’s a possibility of getting a top class manager to replace him this summer then we should at least explore that option.
That way a new manager gets the players he wants.
If there’s no top class option available then we wait, but it’ll only be kicking the can down the road for another season.
I’ll be forever grateful for everything Pep has done and is without doubt our greatest ever manager but I’m also cautious of what happens when we get too comfortable.
Just look at our recent transfer windows.
Partly the reason we’re in a mess right now.
We need to be planning for the next 10 years not just the next season.
A post I never thought I’d make or want to make : (

 

[Corky]

6th with the biggest budget in the world.

From the line-up you knew City were susceptible in the final, conceded first chance and set the tone for the day.