Stuart Pearce
February 2026
Guardiola is being tipped to stay at Manchester City for as long as possible, with Pearce suggesting a future transition into a director of football role rather than a clean exit. Pearce argues replacing Guardiola is a major risk for continuity and style, and says City’s owners should prioritise retention and succession planning inside their wider multi-club structure.
Nico O’Reilly
February 2026
Manchester City beat Newcastle with Nico O’Reilly scoring twice, closing to within two points of league leaders Arsenal. City struck early in a high-tempo first half where all goals arrived inside 27 minutes. O’Reilly scored either side of Hall’s equaliser. Guardiola credited his physicality and completeness in midfield, while Lescott said the manager’s trust to play him in his best role is accelerating his confidence and making him hard to drop.
Pep Guardiola
February 2026
He publicly pushed back on claims that the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”, arguing that people move to find safety and opportunity and should not be blamed for a country’s problems. He framed migration as a global reality, said birthplace and skin colour do not define worth, and argued that embracing different cultures strengthens society. He also criticised the habit of treating newcomers as the source of domestic issues.
Pep Guardiola
January 2026
Guardiola argued Tottenham’s first goal should not have stood after a contentious contact in the build-up/finish, as City blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2. City led through Cherki and Semenyo, then Solanke scored twice to level; Guardiola said similar contact by a defender on a striker is given as a penalty, and pointed to inconsistency in Premier League officiating.
Pep Guardiola
January 2026
Guardiola implied some City players are not fully committed to playing through minor issues, citing Cruyff’s view that players who do not want to be injured generally are not, while listing multiple absences for the Galatasaray game. He referenced the club’s medical staff, then suggested mindset matters beyond bad luck. He confirmed several injured players will miss the Champions League tie, with January signings also ineligible.
Erling Haaland
January 2026
Haaland was dropped from City’s starting XI after an eight-game run without an open-play goal, despite 20 league goals overall, with Guardiola citing fatigue and the need to refresh him mentally and physically. Guardiola said the schedule and Haaland’s exhaustion drove the decision. Haaland publicly accepted responsibility after recent poor displays and apologised to supporters following City’s losses, saying he lacks answers for his form.
Marc Guehi
January 2026
Reports say Guehi’s private jet aborted a Manchester landing before touching down safely as he travelled to complete a £20 million move, with the timing adding to Glasner’s public frustration. The aborted landing was attributed to runway disruption, and the transfer was framed as Palace avoiding losing Guehi for free in summer; Glasner said he learned of the sale shortly before a match and criticised the club’s handling.
Marc Guehi
January 2026
City have made a major move for Guehi, presenting personal terms and preparing to negotiate a transfer fee with Palace as his contract runs down. With defensive injuries mounting, City have moved ahead of other suitors and are expected to test Palace with an offer around £30m while trying to close the deal before the window shuts.
Antoine Semenyo
January 2026
Semenyo delivered a goal and an assist in City’s 10-1 win, earning strong reviews for adapting quickly to Guardiola’s system. He assisted Lewis with a cross and then scored himself, capping a rapid week that included a final Bournemouth appearance. With Guardiola serving a touchline ban, Lijnders highlighted Semenyo’s pressing, direct running, and ability to slot into City’s style.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
January 2026
Guardiola said Donnarumma’s short passing and composure are better than his reputation, while conceding he cannot match Ederson’s long passing. Guardiola highlighted first touch, decision-making, and tempo in short build-up as key strengths, framing Ederson’s range as an outlier few keepers can replicate.
