In the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast, Manchester City's Rodri was asked if he ever envisions following in Pep Guardiola's footsteps to become a coach. His response is resolute: “No.” He elaborates, “I look at Pep, and I’m not sure I want that for my future. I see Txiki’s face and I prefer it—cleaner and more relaxed.” Rodri has previously expressed his admiration for City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, and his interest in pursuing a similar career path post-retirement. However, his words carry a subtle critique. Imagine being so dedicated to your job that even Rodri finds it excessive. This interview likely took place before City's 3-3 draw with Feyenoord, where Guardiola appeared with red marks and a bleeding nose, resembling someone who had just lost a battle with a stapler. His joke about self-harm, for which he later apologized, doesn’t exactly evoke a “dream job.”
Meanwhile, City’s defense has become increasingly chaotic, and their midfield is struggling. Erling Haaland seems to have lost his scoring touch in the Premier League, and there’s a real possibility that in January, they could face severe penalties for rule breaches, including losing their titles and being relegated. Despite their current position—second in the table with a chance to close the gap to Liverpool to five points—their situation is far from stable. The latest iteration of the English football rivalry between City and Liverpool offers a chance to explore why these clubs are on such divergent paths. Liverpool, expected to be in a rebuilding phase, has shown resilience, while City, once a model of stability, is now showing cracks due to legal issues, recruitment errors, and a culture that has become too comfortable.
City’s midfield struggles, highlighted by Rodri’s injury, reflect broader issues. Despite spending over £100m on players like Kalvin Phillips, Matheus Nunes, and Mateo Kovacic, none have proven durable enough for a club aiming to be the best in the world. Similarly, other recent transfer decisions, like letting Cole Palmer go to Chelsea and allowing Julián Alvarez to leave without a replacement, have been questionable. Injuries have also played a role this season, but past City sides could cope better due to their robust system.
In contrast, Liverpool has built resilience through strategic decisions that caused short-term pain. They dismantled their famous front three and signed a new midfield in a short span. Trusting academy players like Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones has paid off. Under Jürgen Klopp, despite occasional crises, there has always been a strong sense of identity and mission. City, however, revolves almost entirely around Guardiola’s vision, leading to a club that mirrors his character—more pragmatic, stubborn, and obsessed with defending a legacy rather than building a new one.
A reckoning is inevitable. It could come as early as the summer, from legal challenges in January, or even at Anfield on Sunday. Guardiola’s recent contract extension might buy time, but the clock is already ticking. The mistakes of the past have brought City to their current state. What new errors might they be making?
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