Pep Guardiola - 2025/26

[Big Joe Corrigan]

I’ve noticed this Ljinders one has rocked up and I’ve also noticed a lot of new players and the beginnings of a change in our style such as going long more.

We’re laying the foundations for Klopp coming aren’t we?

I hope not, he should stick to doing Trivago adverts, all aboard for Tombstone Junction.

 

[Dazzle84]

I’ve noticed this Ljinders one has rocked up and I’ve also noticed a lot of new players and the beginnings of a change in our style such as going long more.

We’re laying the foundations for Klopp coming aren’t we?

I have literally never considered that to be an option until reading that and now it makes so much sense

 

[Earlyriser]

I have literally never considered that to be an option until reading that and now it makes so much sense

Klopp will never come to City. He recognises what that would do to his legacy, the personal attacks that would generate and he would be directly compared to Pep

 

[Tricky_Trev]

I miss the “SIT DOWN! NOBODY TALK!” Pep that we once had. There was fire, there were standards, he had an aura about him. The Pep we see now is a shell of that manager and the team is reflecting him. It’s becoming a lot harder to conclude anything other than it’s time to move on. Probably not mid-season though, now that’s it’s begun. But in the summer, we might have to if this season goes the way it seems it will.

 

[JewelZee]

Apologies if I have hurt your feelings.

You are, of course, entitled to post how and what you want on the forum.

We have different views on the football aspect, so better left to others to agree/disagree.

Fair enough...: )

 

[Gumzy97]

Klopp will never come to City. He recognises what that would do to his legacy, the personal attacks that would generate and he would be directly compared to Pep

I don't think he cares. He talked shit about red bull then went to them. Show him enough money a project and he'd sign on the dotted line.

 

[Lavinda Past]

I have literally never considered that to be an option until reading that and now it makes so much sense

I wouldn't have a problem with Klopp at City as long as he was on a maximum 3 year contract.

I don't believe that any coach should stay at a club longer than 3 seasons. Complacency will slip in at some point. The DOF should be a long term appointment and ultimately responsible for hiring coaching staff.

 

[Gumzy97]

put it in the other post but this is interesting.

 

[Blue2202]

Those who are sceptical about Pep and/or the squad can demonstrate their knowledge by making predictions about our season.

Ferguson needed 4 years to win the title after 2003 and 9 years to build another team capable of winning the CL. Anyone who thinks that rebuilding a team is easy is being naive.

Also, note the following. If the aim is just to compete for the title, the process of rebuilding would be easier. But Pep aims higher: he wants to create another special team, not just another title-winning team. A truly special team needs to implement more complex tactics, to build it takes more time. Aiming higher than just competing makes temporary failures more likely. The process is not linear: first you compete for top 4, then for the title, and then for the double or treble.

My prediction: at some point this season, whether in December or January, the team will click and become increasingly stronger, with some setbacks here and there. By April City will look like the most in form team in England and one of the favourites for the CL.

Now, those who disagree (they might be right!) are welcome to make their own predictions about the evolution of this team. Have skin in the game.

1. Pep has less than two years left on his contract, he doesn't have time on his side.

2. Peps aim is to win football matches, that's his job. The rest of the nonsense you're harping on about him 'aiming' for comes when he wins more games than when he doesn't.

3. You keep going on about bacon face Ferguson, no one is arsed. The difference in footballing landscape and context between then and now makes it irrelevant.

4. Football is not as cut and dry as it all suddenly falling into place perfectly; you're contradicting your own point by saying it takes time and then saying it will just suddenly click into place.

5. You've hardly made a prediction yourself? Where will we finish in the league? Saying we will be considered favourites for the CL is hardly putting your neck on the line considering we are 6th favourite to win it already?

 

[Blue2202]

The past is a good predictor of the future. We were desperate to sign Pep due to his past record. It was the same with Liverpool and Klopp or Madrid and Ancelotti. By the same token, we paid a lot of money to sign KDB due to his record in the Bundesliga.

Of course, the past doesn't guarantee that certain things are bound to happen again. But it is important.

The past can inform the future of course but it is certainly not a guarantee as you're making out.

Every point you make mentions the fact that something has happened before as though that guarantees it'll definitely happen again in the future. It doesn't.

 

[super_city_si]

My prediction: at some point this season, whether in December or January, the team will click and become increasingly stronger, with some setbacks here and there. By April City will look like the most in form team in England and one of the favourites for the CL.

I think this is what we're all hoping for. The new backroom staff methods and the new players get it and and we 'click'. The only trouble is I dont see any change that needs to 'click'. We're playing the exact same system that was picked apart last season and is again so far this season.

 

[super_city_si]

Big difference in the quality of the Bayern squads to our current squad sadly. Probably the key issue.

That team would hammer us

 

[alexmcity]

You're contradicting your own point by saying it takes time and then saying it will just suddenly click into place.

You can't see there's no contradiction here? Coaching, gelling, and so on, mean nothing?

I'm not surprised that you are avoiding any prediction about the evolution of our performances this season: e.g., whether and to what extent the performances will improve, when, how strong the team is likely to be come the spring.

Life, and football in particular, is best understood in terms of probabilities and tendencies. Some things are (much) more likely to happen. For example, it's far more likely that City have success under Pep than under Ten Hag. The latter cannot be ruled out completely (at least theoretically). Another example: it's likely that Marmoush will score more goals than Savinho.

So, do you have any opinion what's likely to happen or just want those with optimistic takes about the development of the team this season to shut up?

I shared my prediction that our start to the season would be slow weeks before the first game. Unfortunately, I was right. Would you share what you expect to happen? Maybe you have no expectations whatsoever, as the future cannot be inferred from the past?

 

[alexmcity]

I think this is what we're all hoping for. The new backroom staff methods and the new players get it and and we 'click'. The only trouble is I dont see any change that needs to 'click'. We're playing the exact same system that was picked apart last season and is again so far this season.

I see many things that need time to click: many new players since January, new coaches, Pep trying things, Rodri regaining form and helping other players to perform better...

 

[Dazzle84]

put it in the other post but this is interesting.

Makes sense, it looks more and more like Viana's appointment was designed to manage the rebuild and plan for after Pep. It does indicate strategic decision making, albeit long term and not without risk of us falling too far behind to catch up. The next coach decision is huge

 

[robbieh]

People talking as if we've reached the zenith of world football. And it's all downhill from here.
I suspect the owners aren't thinking like that.

Pep has done fantastic job, backed to the hilt by Mansour.
We've dominated English football the last decade and achieved things noone has ever done before.

However one CL is average. Chelsea have done better never mind Real Madrid.

The aim now is to build a new team that will do that and it won't be Pep in charge. Viana will get the players. And choose the manager. Look forward to seeing who it is.

 

[alexmcity]

People talking as if we've reached the zenith of world football. And it's all downhill from here.
I suspect the owners aren't thinking like that.

Pep has done fantastic job, backed to the hilt by Mansour.
We've dominated English football the last decade and achieved things noone has ever done before.

However one CL is average. Chelsea have done better never mind Real Madrid.

The aim now is to build a new team that will do that and it won't be Pep in charge. Viana will get the players. And choose the manager. Look forward to seeing who it is.

Viana has no experience and track record at this level (biggest clubs in the world). The suggestion that he orchestrates the changes in the team because presumably he knows better than Pep what players are needed to win the CL is bollocks.

Most likely, they work together. Pep's knowledge is priceless. Viana takes responsibility for the selling of Treble-winning players simply because he isn't as close to them as Pep. Pep doesn't want to leave the impression he was the reason why Kevin, Gundo, Grealish...left the club. It's convenient to say that the decision is entirely on Viana.

 

[alexmcity]

The bit about Pep is telling.

 

[TurboDuo]

Thats our squad for a season

 

[Stoned Rose]

The meltdown would be biblical

He’d get fucking crucified by the ferals.