Why has Manchester City under Guardiola repeatedly become the "Champions League Round of 16 loser"? There are three reasons.

On March 18th Beijing time, in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg, Real Madrid defeated ten-man Manchester City 2-1 away, achieving a 5-1 aggregate double victory to eliminate City. Guardiola's Manchester City has been a perennial Champions League favorite, but after being eliminated by Real Madrid in the Round of 16 for two consecutive seasons (last season City was eliminated in the Champions League qualifying stage, more precisely the "Round of 24"), Guardiola's Manchester City has repeatedly become the "Champions League Round of 16 loser".

So the question arises:Why has Manchester City under Guardiola become the "Champions League Round of 16 loser"?

• Reason one! Failed generational transition. De Bruyne and Gündogan left, Álvarez was sold, Rodri's form declined severely after a major injury. City lost these technically gifted players, and now Guardiola's squad consists of many "rough" players who cannot execute true possession football, such as Reijnders, Nico González, etc.
• Reason two! Obsession with Haaland, while Guardiola is not adept with center forwards. Haaland is also severely overrated. As a 1.95m tall striker, his heading ability is poor; in corner tactics Haaland is not the main attacking point. Real Madrid even assigned Güler to defend against Haaland, essentially not treating him as a proper center forward. Haaland cannot play with his back to goal and lacks ball-carrying progression ability. His long legs suit counter-attacks, and he has often disappeared in crucial matches. Haaland is incompatible with Guardiola's possession tactics at City, but Guardiola's fixation on Haaland led to selling Álvarez, losing long-range shooting to break down tight defenses and creative attacking options.
• Reason three! City's "princes" are soft, not tough at all! A club needs its own "princes." The City "princes" Guardiola has focused on developing are weak—Foden's form has declined sharply this season. Without De Bruyne, Foden and Haaland are ordinary players. Guardiola's nurtured Lewis and O'Reilly are not big-game players; they cannot perform in tough matches.

Guardiola and his Manchester City have entered a severe bottleneck period. Being eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 for two consecutive seasons is Guardiola's worst Champions League record in his coaching career, repeatedly becoming the "Round of 16 loser." Guardiola needs deep reflection. If he stays to coach City, how to innovate? More likely, City and Guardiola cannot find new sparks.

Personal view: perhaps it is time for Manchester City to change managers and rebuild. Last season City won nothing; this season they have fallen behind in the Premier League title race and were eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16. Even if they win one domestic cup this season, Guardiola has reached a huge bottleneck and sense of helplessness in changing City. Conclusion: Manchester City should change managers...