Pep has 10 'final matches' to avoid the worst milestone of his career

Manchester City is confronted with 10 "final matches" to rescue the season as well as the records of manager Pep Guardiola. The Spanish tactician is facing an unprecedented situation in his coaching career.

Real Madrid eliminated Manchester City from the Champions League. Pep Guardiola once again fell before his familiar rival with an aggregate score of 1-5, following a 1-2 defeat at Etihad. This leaves him just 10 matches away from the worst milestone in his coaching career based on performance. Pressure and discussions about a "crisis" are surrounding him.

If they fail to win the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, Man City almost loses any chance of winning the Premier League. Should that happen, this would be the first time Pep Guardiola experiences two consecutive seasons without a trophy. Notably, the club has spent over 700 million euros since 2023 to rebuild the squad, yet has not returned to the Champions League semifinals since that time.

Real Madrid has eliminated Man City for three consecutive seasons in the European arena. Ahead, they have at least 8 matches remaining in other competitions to avoid a completely failed season.

It should be remembered that Pep Guardiola has not won any title since August 2024, when Man City defeated Manchester United on penalties to claim the Community Shield at Wembley, the English season-opening Super Cup. Since then, Pep has missed out on 2 Premier League titles, 4 domestic cups, 2 Champions League titles, and even the FIFA Club World Cup, where they were eliminated by Al-Hilal.

Opportunity to salvage the season

The chance for "revenge" will come very soon as Man City faces Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final this Sunday at Wembley. Although it is not a major trophy, it could still be a "life-saving buoy" for a turbulent season, as The Citizens have failed to maintain their previous stability and resilience.

In the Premier League, Arsenal leads Man City by 9 points with only 8 rounds remaining (equivalent to a maximum of 24 points). Additionally, Pep Guardiola's team has reached the FA Cup quarter-finals and will face Liverpool at Anfield, a challenge that is far from easy.

Arbeloa accomplishes a feat against Pep Guardiola and Mourinho

Not Jürgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, or Hansi Flick, but Álvaro Arbeloa is the first coach to eliminate both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the same Champions League season with a perfect record.

He is also the first person in Europe to achieve victory in the first two encounters against both these strategists. Real Madrid, from crisis, has returned with ambitions to conquer the Champions League, where they are likely to face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Previously, names like Diego Simeone or Klopp have accomplished similar feats, but none had won all four matches against the duo Mourinho – Guardiola like Arbeloa. This is an impressive achievement for a young coach in the early stages of a top-level career.