Peter Crouch and Joleon Lescott have assessed Pep Guardiola's situation at City
By JEORGE BIRD
Published: 10:26 EST, 21 December 2024 | Updated: 10:26 EST, 21 December 2024
Peter Crouch and Joleon Lescott have provided their verdict on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City future following his side's latest setback.
City were beaten 2-1 away by Aston Villa on Saturday and are nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
TNT Sports pundits Crouch and Lescott were also asked whether they believe City's chances of winning a fifth successive Premier League title have now faded.
City have endured a woeful run of late that has encompassed them losing six of their last eight Premier League games.
At Villa Park the hosts took the lead through Jhon Duran before Morgan Rogers made it 2-0 in the second half.
Although City got a goal back through Phil Foden late on, Guardiola's side
Former City defender Lescott indicated that he doesn't believe that Guardiola is close to resigning.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Lescott said: ''I don't think Guardiola is anywhere close to resigning. He's someone that thrives on a challenge. He will see this as a challenge. I don't think he's anywhere close to thinking about resigning.'
Crouch agreed with Lescott that Guardiola will remain at the club.
He said: 'I think he stays. I think he leaves when he wants to. It's whether he can turn it around. The man's a genius. He's changed the face of football in this country. He's not had this test anywhere he's been. He's one of the greatest we've ever seen. You'd expect him to turn it around.'
However, Crouch believes that City will not be able to win the title this season.
He said: 'I think you have to (write City off in title race). They're not showing signs of title-winning form.'