Man City’s failings mean now is the time to question Pep Guardiola, says Thierry Henry in wake of Manchester derby defeat | Football News happymamay

Thierry Henry has issued an impassioned defense of his former coach Pep Guardiola Monday Night FootballHowever, he admitted that the Manchester City coach could be “questioned” for the first time amid their poor form.

Henry questioned why Guardiola would allow free-scoring players such as Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Cole Palmer to leave the Etihad Stadium without being substituted, and asked where the goals will come from when Erling Haaland is not firing on all cylinders.

City have suffered eight defeats from their last 12 matches after a 2-1 loss in the Manchester derby on Sunday, leaving them nine points off the top of the Premier League table, having played a game more than leaders Liverpool.

Although they have struggled defensively in Rodri’s absence, Guardiola’s side have also scored the fewest goals per game since his arrival.

“We all know, it’s the first time, and we’re allowed to say it, that we can challenge his decisions by letting Cole Palmer, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez leave,” Henry said.

“Ilkay Gundogan is back, he is not the same Gundogan who scored 17 goals in a season.

“You’re missing those goals. Erling Haaland is scoring the same goals, a little less than in his first season but he’s doing what he usually does.

“I’ve seen him miss the bench every season, but where are the goals of Mahrez, Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne or Gundogan? Where are those goals?”

Henry said he did not expect Guardiola to resign, just weeks after signing a new two-year contract until June 2027, but he defended the coach he worked under at Barcelona in his first job for the level of consistency he had achieved. since then.

“One thing I will say about this team, it’s the first time this has happened to them in their career. Let’s not kill the guy or this team because of what’s happening,” he said.

“You can never say never [that he could quit] – But Pep is not that kind of coach. He’s really tough, mean and intense when you win, because he wants to keep you there.

“And he’s more gentle when he’s frustrated. You can see when the team isn’t playing well, he comes out and says ‘I love my team, they played really well tonight.’

“And sometimes he would come on the pitch and attack his team when they won 3-0, and you could see him arguing about someone who had missed the pass.

“I like that. You change when you’re at the top, and you try to change so you can stay there. And once you’re here, you’re trying to be the nice guy now.”

Kara: This is the first Pep reconstruction that looks like one

Jamie Carragher added that City’s problems only highlighted the level of rebuilding required when the team’s development had looked smoother in previous years, despite having to replace club legends such as Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Vincent Kompany throughout Guardiola’s time at the club.

“It’s the first time it’s felt like a rebuild, even though it’s happened, but they’ve been so successful that they’re not missing the players you’re talking about,” he said.

“This is something every club has gone through. You look at Jurgen Klopp two years ago, and Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson where you look at it and think it will take two years to get back to where they were.” .

“Because Pep is so good, you never felt like it was a rebuild even though it was.