Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, a name we’ve been hearing a lot in the past few weeks when it comes to football, has recently also made headlines in his personal life.
There have been whispers of a rift, reflected in a posts on all social media platforms, that his recent estrangement from his wife, Cristina Serra, after more than 30 years together, was affecting his concentration, and contributing to the team’s recent slump in form. Although Guardiola has not directly confirmed his divorce, and neither have official sources, the media speculation has raised questions about the possible influence between personal life and the professional results of a football manager.
Guardiola’s wife, Cristina Serra, has been with him for a long time, even since his early coaching days. Indeed, any emotional upheaval, especially so late in a working relationship, would almost certainly take a toll that would pervade throughout one’s art. Still, to suggest that Manchester City’s present travails are wholly down to this private issue would probably be an over-simplicity.
What’s gone wrong on the pitch for Manchester City this season? A large part of it is the aging squad; a lot of the core players are over 30, players like Kevin Debruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Current Captain Kyle Walker, these set of players have been largely important to Manchester’s City dominance over the years.
Another reason may be an increase in injuries. Manchester City players have been forced to play many more matches over the years due to them doing well in cup competitions and the UCL and always fighting till the end for the English Premier League title. A big miss was Spanish International Midfielder Rodri who has been the most important piece of Manchester City plays football over the years.
That’s just one indication that this season has indeed been one where injuries have devastated the rhythm and the continuity of the team.
Furthermore, motivation may be fading after years of success. Having won nearly every title possible in recent years, the motivation to keep driving might not be intense anymore if opposing sides no longer approach games with the same fear as before.
On signings Manchester City has been really active, with the signing of young Uzbekistan defender for £42 million from Lens, another young defender Victor Reis from Palmeiras for £29.5 million and Egyptian Forward Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt clearly banging about quality not quantity. But new additions need time to mingle in with an established squad, which may affect the team’s performance instantly.
Guardiola’s personal life may have also contributed, but it is also the effect of a broader set of challenges which involve squad age, injuries, motivation, tactical adjustments and so on. These elements bring together to create the Manchester City of the current season — one not quite as invincible as in previous years.
