‘What happened didn’t surprise me’ – Pep Guardiola reflects on Man City slump after four titles in five years

Pep Guardiola assessed concerns amongst Manchester City’s fanbase on his side’s recent form ahead of a crucial derby meeting with Manchester United this weekend.

The Premier League champions crashed out of the Carabao Cup courtesy of a 2-0 defeat against Southampton on Wednesday, with several changes made to the Blues’ starting XI from their last league win at Stamford Bridge.

City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan suggested the team had been lacking desire after the unexpected defeat to the Premier League’s bottom side at St Mary’s on Wednesday.

Guardiola admitted this could be a natural consequence of their success of recent years.

He said: “What happened didn’t surprise me. We tried to avoid it, and hopefully it is not going to happen again, but it happened because we won four Premier Leagues in five years.

“After back-to-back two times, this can happen. We were not ready to go there. I was concerned it could happen and unfortunately it did. I don’t know if will happen again but I am not concerned.

“There are many games to play, of course it’s a big week we cannot deny it. We play Spurs.

“After Southampton I’m not worried about the titles, it’s to recover who are game by game. This is what we have to do. It’s normal after the results of previous seasons but we have to change it immediately.”

City thrashed their neighbours 6-3 when the sides last met in October but United have lost just one of 18 games since.

Guardiola thinks United have improved “a lot”.

He added: “The improvement is clear – not just in results. I have the feeling every time (we play them) at Old Trafford or the Etihad it’s been a difficult game.

“They are always attractive games. There are a lot of quality players on both sides. It will be a good game.

“It’s Man United. With Ole they were close. What happens in the previous seasons, I don’t know what happens.

“It’s normal United are there. Still there, fighting. Nobody said they would be there, they are there because they have to be. It doesn’t surprise me. It’s why this competition is so difficult.