PEP GUARDIOLA has always been a leader in football creativity — but this twist took everyone off guard.

It was surprising to witness the Manchester City manager, who is widely considered the best in the business, talking about losing control of dressing rooms.

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Even more surprising is that he initiated the discussion himself.

Suddenly, even seven losses in ten matches for the four-time champions seemed less significant. This revelation was truly jarring.

Guardiola was facing what is arguably the most challenging phase of his coaching career, yet he believed it has only strengthened his resolve.

There is one failure that could genuinely bring the once-mighty Spaniard to his knees — and it would not happen on the pitch.

That moment would be when he realized his words were falling on deaf ears. When the players no longer regarded him as their guiding figure. When the locker room ceased to resonate with his presence.

However, before City fans contemplate reaching for the helpline, the coach has yet to observe any such warning signs.

But he understands that if those signs ever appeared, his exit from the Etihad would be immediate.

Guardiola stated: “There is one specific moment when I would say, ‘Pep, it’s time to reevaluate’. That is when I lose the team.

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“When I feel they’re not exerting themselves. When people state the manager has lost the locker room and they cease to follow me.

“In that scenario, I wouldn’t stay for another second.

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Pep Guardiola’s challenging stretch at Man City

PEP GUARDIOLA has shared that he is enduring sleepless nights during this difficult phase in his managerial career.

Here’s a look at the three-time defending Premier League champions’ disheartening last 10 matches…

Oct 30: Tottenham 2 Man City 1 – LOSS

Nov 2: Bournemouth 2 Man City 1 – LOSS

Nov 5: Sporting Lisbon 4 Man City 1 – LOSS

Nov 9: Brighton 2 Man City 1 – LOSS

Nov 23: Man City 0 Tottenham 4 – LOSS

Nov 26: Man City 3 Feyenoord 3 – DRAW

Dec 1: Liverpool 2 Man City 0 – LOSS

Dec 4: Man City 3 Nottingham Forest – WIN

Dec 7: Crystal Palace 2 Man City 2 – DRAW

Dec 11: Juventus 2 Man City 0 – LOSS

TOTAL – WINS 1, DRAWS 2, LOSSES 7

“But at this point, I am completely focused — that’s for sure.”

Guardiola realizes that the extraordinary loss streak — equaling the amount of defeats City faced over their last 105 games — isn’t caused by a lack of tactical insight from the bench.

It results from a harrowing injury list, the prolonged absence of key players — particularly Rodri — along with a grueling schedule that would challenge any team.

There is one specific moment when I would say, ‘Pep, it’s time to reevaluate’. That is when I lose the team.

Pep Guardiola

He added: “I can’t speculate on how things might have turned out with all players available… with Rodri fit, with Phil Foden in the mix, with Oscar Bobb ready, and with all four central defenders healthy. I can’t say for certain where we would be.

“I can visualize it, but without certainty, right? We would definitely be a stronger team, obviously, but the reality paints a different picture.

“In seasons past, we might have navigated an entire year without facing seven defeats. But this is football, it’s life.

“If you’d told me a month ago, when we were leading the league and unbeaten, that we would lose seven, I’d have responded, ‘You can’t be serious! That’s impossible for my team’.

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“But it has indeed happened — and we could face even more losses. The fixtures are a major concern.

“Rodri played 75 matches last season. He won the Euros with Spain, returned injured after international duty. Do you think he was fresh for this season? Absolutely not.

“As resilient as he is, he came back fatigued. But I needed him against Arsenal, even when he wasn’t at his best.

“After a game, usually recovery occurs on the next day, with those not playing training.

“Yet we have seven, eight, or even nine players out. We’re not hitting our peak performance because we simply lack the roster. We’ve made many mistakes but are short on the clock. We need to practice, and we need to build cohesion.

“Being an author requires not just reading numerous books; you must write a novel, unless you’re William Shakespeare! After that, you need nothing else.”

Despite all the reasons and injuries, Guardiola knows that at the end of the day, accountability falls on him.

To be a writer, it’s not necessary to read books; you have to practice to write a novel—unless you are William Shakespeare! After that, you don’t need anything.

Pep Guardiola

And the truth is that City’s performances have not met expectations.

Securing a win in the Manchester derby would at least bring some relief, even if it’s just a temporary cover for a significant wound.

He acknowledged: “We currently lack a defense, my friends. We’ve lost far too many games when this has been the case. All the criticism and scrutiny are deserved.

“You can share thoughts and be receptive to feedback, but ultimately it is your responsibility to implement changes. It’s on me — which is why I am compensated so handsomely.

“If I want to escape the comments following matches, I should choose a different career — that’s not a novel concept.”

Fortunately for City, he has no intention of leaving anytime soon. At least that’s a silver lining.

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