Pep Guardiola has dismissed claims that Manchester City’s recent poor form stems from having an aging squad, despite nine of his key players being aged 30 or older. City, currently enduring their worst run under Guardiola with five consecutive defeats, have faced criticism for relying heavily on older players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, Kyle Walker, and Ederson, all of whom played pivotal roles in the team’s Premier League triumph last season.
The recent 4-0 defeat to Tottenham marked a low point in this troubling period. Guardiola, however, remains steadfast in his belief that age is not the issue. “It depends on the performance,” he explained. “There are players who are 30 and more than 30 who perform incredibly well. There are players who are 23 who perform not good. I don’t see the age. All teams have players with certain ages.”
He emphasized that the team’s composition has not changed significantly since their Premier League-winning campaign just months ago, and the same players have consistently delivered in past seasons. “A few weeks ago, they were the same age, and we won the Premier League, reached the FA Cup final, and were eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals,” Guardiola noted, pointing to a variety of factors behind the current slump.
Despite the challenging spell, Guardiola remains calm and focused on finding solutions. “I learn from these situations be calm. Sometimes I shout, but the next morning with a coffee, I’m saying: ‘Why am I shouting? Stay calm.’” His measured approach reflects his vast experience and understanding of the cyclical nature of form in football.
Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne, one of the senior players under scrutiny, has also spoken about his future. Having returned from an abdominal injury in the recent match against Tottenham, the 33-year-old playmaker faces uncertainty as his contract expires next summer. De Bruyne admitted that Guardiola’s recent decision to extend his own contract for two more years could play a crucial role in his decision to stay.
“It could help,” De Bruyne stated. “Because I know what the future holds [under Guardiola]. If it would be a new coach, obviously you need to have a conversation with these people because you don’t know what they want with you.”
He added that his longstanding relationship with Guardiola provides clarity and consistency. “I know how he works, how he works with the team, how he works with the players. So that’s nothing new to me. Maybe I would have a conversation if I want to speak about my future with Pep because I don’t know what he thinks. And maybe he changes his mind and says: ‘Kevin, thank you. Time to leave.’”
Guardiola has been equally candid about De Bruyne’s future, expressing confidence in the player’s self-awareness and commitment. “Kevin will be honest,” Guardiola said. “He wants to finish here at his best. I don’t think he will be here when he believes he doesn’t feel he can be the Kevin that can produce and help the team like he has done in the last decade.”
De Bruyne also reflected on his recent injury struggles, calling his layoff the most frustrating of his career. After an injury in the Champions League final against Inter Milan last season, the midfielder faced an uncertain recovery period, further complicating his return to peak performance. “This has been the most frustrating one because last year when I had the hamstring, I knew I’m going to be out for five, six months,” he said. “But now it was, I don’t know. When it happened after Inter, I was basically testing myself to be able to play for the weekend, and I wasn’t able. So I didn’t know how long it would take me to get better.”
The challenges faced by Manchester City, both on and off the pitch, highlight the complexities of sustaining success in elite football. While questions remain about the squad’s ability to rejuvenate and adapt, Guardiola’s composure and De Bruyne’s dedication offer a sense of stability amid the turbulence. Whether these qualities can help City recover their form remains to be seen, but the club’s ability to overcome adversity will undoubtedly be tested in the coming weeks.
