“I’m Not Good Enough, Simple As That” – Pep Guardiola

Following a 2-1 loss to rival Manchester United that prolonged their terrible run to eight losses in 11 games, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that he is “not good enough” to address his team’s growing issues.

Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead with a header in the 36th minute of Sunday night’s match, but Matheus Nunes’s defensive error allowed Bruno Fernandes to convert a penalty in the 88th minute, followed by Amad Diallo’s winner shortly before the end of regulation time.

“I’m the boss, I’m the manager, I have to find solutions but I don’t find solutions,” he said in his press conference.

“This is a big club and when you lose eight [out of 11 games] something is wrong. You can say the schedule is tough or the injuries to players, but no.

“I’m the manager and I’m not good enough, simple as that. I have to find a way to talk to them, to train them in the way we need to play, to press the way we need to press.

“I’m not good enough. I’m not doing well. That is the truth.”

Guardiola signed a new two-year deal in November, claiming he did not feel he could leave the club at a tough time, but the situation has spiralled since then and he is now facing concerns over how and when he can change their fortunes.

“I’m here,” he said. “I’m responsible. It would be easy for me to say we lost because of this action or this player or this situation but football is a team game.

“I’m completely convinced in what I’m saying, that I’m not good enough to find a way for them to feel peace in their bodies and their minds. I want it desperately. I’m here to try and I will try again and again but that is the reality.”

Guardiola added: “I knew it would be a tough season but I didn’t expect so hard.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola said: “This year, I would say many times this has unfortunately happened. We give away many things against Feyenoord and in games this season and at this level, it’s more difficult.

“We are not, I would say, nice in the way we play. Before it was so fluid and now we struggle for different reasons – of course for a lot of defeats – but we put everything in, the game was almost closed except for one chance for Bruno Fernandes.

“OK, they were a little better, more possession in the first half, but nothing special. But at the end, we give away the two goals and it’s more difficult.”

“It is what it is, what can I say? It is not about this action of a player or that, it is a tough season and it will be a tough season.

“We did not play at our best today because in some positions we are not at our best, we struggled, but it is what it is.

“Now we do not play for many things, but especially for the momentum that we have.

“We obviously need results to lift our mood, but it is getting worse and worse and the reality is it is like this. I am the manager of this club and I have to find a solution. And so far, I did not find it. This is the truth.”