Pep Guardiola Future Thrown Into Doubt Following Defeat at Liverpool
By Adam Aladay
Manchester City are expected to give manager Pep Guardiola funds to strengthen his squad in January, but rumours continue to circulate regarding his future at the club.
Following the Cityzens' 3-1 loss to Liverpool in a crucial top-of-the-table clash on Sunday, Guardiola's men now find themselves fourth in the table, nine points behind their title rivals.
Goals from Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané put the home side in control of the contest, before Bernardo Silva was able to pull one back late on.
City have now suffered three defeats in their opening 12 league games, leaving them with 25 points heading into the international break - making this Guardiola's worst-ever start to a top-flight campaign.
As a result, the 48-year-old's future has been called into question. David Ornstein of the Athletic has claimed that the 2019/20 campaign could be Guardiola's last as manager of Man City, with a return to Bayern Munich not being ruled out.
Ornstein's source goes on to add that the club are, for the first time, preparing 'for either eventuality'. The report further states that the situation is beginning to change, with the City boss' wife returning to Barcelona despite the couple's close bond.
However, The Times has claimed that the Catalan is expected to remain at the helm and see out the remainder of his contract, which expires in 18 months.
Further to this, the Sky Blues will give the manager the chance to bring in fresh faces in January, with the report stating that he may bring in two players to bolster his squad. Aymeric Laporte's injury has left the Manchester club short of options at the back and, as a result, the former Barcelona manager will attempt to bring in another centre-back, while the club are also on the lookout for an attacker.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has reported that the Cityzens also want an attacking midfielder.
It is not yet clear whether Guardiola will honour his contract or not, but he will be more than keen to get his side back to winning ways in an attempt to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool in the immediate future.