Pep Guardiola has been at Manchester City for eight-and-a-half years
Pep Guardiola has been at Manchester City for eight-and-a-half years (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Despite Manchester City's recent poor form, club officials and fans have been reassured not to worry about a potential resignation from manager Pep Guardiola. The team's 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday means they've only managed one victory in their last 12 games, leaving them 12 points behind the Premier League leaders Liverpool following the Reds' triumph over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Guardiola acknowledged his side "struggled" at Villa Park and admitted their pressing game was "not good enough". Speculation about an early departure from Man City for Guardiola has been quickly dismissed whenever it arises.
It's only been a month since he signed a new two-year contract with the club. Ex-City and Aston Villa defender Joleon Lescott is among those dismissing any idea that Guardiola might resign soon, despite his current struggle to solve the team's issues.
"I don't think Guardiola is anywhere close to resigning," he told TNT Sports after the Villa match. "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."
Fellow pundit - and ex Villan - Peter Crouch agreed with Lescott, adding: "I think he stays. I think he leaves when he wants to. It's whether he can turn it around.", reports the Manchester Evening News.
"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."
Speaking about Manchester City's prospects of defending their Premier League title, Couch said: "I think you have to (write City off in title race). They're not showing signs of title-winning form."