Pep Guardiola is under more scrutiny than ever at Manchester City following a rocky start to the 2025/26 campaign, sparking questions about whether this is the beginning of a decline in his era of dominance.

Manchester City, usually known for their overwhelming control and clinical execution, have looked uncharacteristically vulnerable and inconsistent. The changes, on the pitch and in the transfer market, help explain why the Citizens just do not seem as dominant as before.

What has changed for Manchester City?

Several pillars of Manchester City’s sustained dominance have either departed or suffered a dip in form. Mainstays like Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan, Manuel Akanji, and even Kyle Walker, have all left, been sidelined by injury, or are linking up with other clubs.

Their departures have not only left technical gaps but also stripped the squad of vast experience and a winning mentality, making the integration of new signings a much more complex task.

On the tactical front, Pep Guardiola’s adjustments, particularly a greater focus on transitions and less positional dominance, have not yet yielded stability. The introduction of youth and signings like Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Gianluigi Donnarumma have added promise but are yet to offer the same blend of reliability and match-winning impact as the departed stars.

Did Manchester City have a bad summer in the market?

The 2025 summer transfer window was eventful, with more than £150 million spent to refresh and rebalance the squad. Yet, the departure of six treble winners in one window, without proven replacements at their level, has clearly destabilised the club. The signings show long-term ambition, but they have not provided the immediate quality boost Manchester City need right now.

Impact of the new signings on Pep Guardiola’s team

While players like Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have shown potential, injuries, and adaptation periods have limited their influence, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, although high-profile, is still adjusting to the Premier League.

The blend of youth and newcomers has not yet convinced fans or pundits that Manchester City can return to their ruthless best under Pep Guardiola, especially when compared to the instant consistency expected at the Etihad.

Have Pep Guardiola’s tactics being found out?

Tactically With Big Teams

Opponents have adapted to Manchester City’s once-predictable positional play and intricate passing patterns. Pep Guardiola’s squad has evolved into using a more fluid, hybrid system with multiple players occupying crowded central areas.

Big teams have exploited transition phases where Manchester City’s defensive shape becomes fragile, especially by targeting high pressing triggers and quick breaks. Teams like Chelsea and Liverpool have pressured City’s buildup play by disrupting Rodri’s midfield dominance and isolating full-backs, forcing Guardiola’s charges into mistakes and turnovers.

Tactically With Small Teams

Smaller teams have been more successful adopting deep, low-block defensive setups to stifle Manchester City’s width and penetration. By ceding possession and focusing on counter-attacks, they expose the team’s tendency to leave spaces behind their advanced full-backs.

For example, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion caught Manchester City out repeatedly by switching play quickly to wide players who could exploit 3v4 situations at the back. City’s centre-backs, often forced to defend wide areas, have struggled against speedy wingers in these counter-attacks

Could This Be Pep Guardiola’s end at Manchester City?

For the first time in years, Pep Guardiola’s reign is being openly questioned. A continuation of poor form could accelerate his departure, even though his contract runs until 2027. The narrative of a potential “Mourinho-style regression” is beginning to emerge, with critics wondering if English football has finally caught up with Guardiola’s once-revolutionary formula.

Conclusion: Tactics, Signings, and a Potential Manchester City Exit for Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola’s struggles this season reflect deeper issues than just a poor run of form. His tactical tweaks, designed to keep Manchester City ahead of the pack, have been undermined by a failure to suitably replace outgoing leaders and world-class talents.

The summer transfer activity appeared to prioritise long-term squad renewal rather than immediate impact; the gamble so far has left the team looking less cohesive, especially against well-drilled opposition.

The loss of consistent performers like Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson Moraes, and Manuel Akanji has revealed previously hidden weaknesses. No matter how promising the signings are, Manchester City lack the chemistry and reliability of prior years.

If Manchester City’s stuttering performances continue, questions about Pep Guardiola’s future will only intensify. As the cycle of dominance looks threatened, the spectre of an abrupt end, like that of Jose Mourinho at other top clubs, looms large. Only a dramatic turnaround, both tactically and in the transfer market, can restore the Guardiola-City project to its former glory