Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is on the brink of setting what would be an unwanted managerial record if his side loses their fourth straight game when they travel to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The Cityzens were knocked out of the League Cup in a loss at Tottenham Hotspur, followed up by a shock 2-1 loss at Bournemouth and then thrashed 4-1 by Sporting in the Champions League, coached by incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
However, Guardiola is hoping that his City team who are two points off the top and behind leaders Liverpool, will be able to vanquish their poor form.
“There always is a first time (to lose four straight), hopefully, it is not the case,” Guardiola said to reporters. “Twenty minutes against Fulham we were not good, against Bournemouth we were not good, but the rest of the games we were good. We are good. We will see what happens.”
While Guardiola has never lost four straight as a manager, City did go six consecutive games without a win in his first season in charge in 2016-17.
The Spanish manager will not have Jack Grealish back from injury for Saturday, he revealed, despite interim England manager Lee Carsley naming Grealish in his squad for the upcoming international break.
John Stones and Ruben Dias, who were also absent on Tuesday, are not expected to return for their clash with Brighton.
“No good news. The same, I think, as Lisbon,” he added.
While City midfielder Bernardo Silva revealed the team are “in a dark place” after their humbling loss in Portugal, Guardiola insisted his players are not in any need of extra motivation.
“I don’t think so. Of course, we are not used to losing three games in three different competitions but it is football and it has happened,” Guardiola continued.
“We know the reason why we struggle but we are looking forward to this game and after the international break, and after that a few players will be back and recovered. All the little problems we have with players will be solved. I hope.”
