Pep Guardiola told Man City players are 'bored of him' & 'want a new voice' in the dugout

Demanding Catalan coach Guardiola has been calling shots on the blue half of Manchester since 2016. He has committed to a contract that will take him beyond a decade of loyal service with the Premier League giants.

The record books have been rewritten across a memorable spell in English football, with six top-flight titles being captured alongside Champions League and domestic cup triumphs. City did, however, fail to land major silverware last season.

A slow start to the current campaign has delivered two defeats and just three points, as City sit 13th in the table, and questions are being asked of whether Guardiola remains the right man to guide the Blues forward - on the back of more elaborate spending in the transfer market.

Former Sky Sports host and current beIN Sports presenter Richard Keys has said in his blog: “I told you the problems at City run far deeper than just missing Rodri. He was back Sunday of course [against Brighton], yet City still looked miles off. They’re going to. One player wasn’t going to turn them into title challengers. And him missing last season wasn’t the reason they were so poor.

“There’s plenty of time for Guardiola to sort things out, but I’ll say again – I’m not sure he can – or will. I think he looks tired. I think he looks bored. And I think his players might just be bored of him. They perhaps want to hear a new voice around the place.

“Look at Jack Grealish. He spent the last two years of his time at City both frustrated and out of love with football. That’s by his own admission. Why? Ask yourself that question. He looks refreshed, vibrant and a lot like his old self at Everton. Good luck to him. It’s great to see him smiling again.

“Working with someone else, hearing a different voice and being challenged in a fresh way must have all played a part in his resurgence. I think he’ll help Everton land a European place.”

City and Guardiola have plenty of time to get things right in 2025-26, with the end of the summer transfer window seeing them acquire more world-class talent in the form of Champions League and European Championship-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.