They laughed Me for Comparing Myself to Pep Guardiola, But I Know what pep must do to Fix Man City’s Crisis. If only he'll listen to me.

Former Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce has shared his thoughts on Manchester City’s recent dip in form, urging Pep Guardiola to adjust his tactics to steady the ship. City’s latest defeat, a 2-0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League group stage, has left the team on the verge of elimination from Europe and extended their poor run to just one win in their last ten matches.

Allardyce, known for his outspoken opinions, previously claimed he was as good as Guardiola when he took over at Leeds United. While his tenure at Leeds ended in relegation, the veteran manager remains confident in his ability to diagnose City’s issues.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce said, “Pep needs to find a solution quickly with the players he has available. A change in tactics might help calm the team down and get them back on track. Winning games is the only way to restore confidence.”

Allardyce pinpointed the absence of key midfielder Rodri as a significant factor in City’s struggles. “Rodri’s value isn’t just about what he does on the ball. It’s about how he protects the back four. Without him, City’s defense is being exposed far more often,” he explained.

Previously, City’s relentless pressing from the front made it rare for opponents to even reach their backline. Now, Allardyce believes anxiety and a lack of confidence are impacting their defensive structure. “The frontline isn’t pressing as effectively, and the back four is struggling to cope with the increased pressure. They’re being left vulnerable, and opponents are taking advantage,” he added.

According to Allardyce, one of the quickest ways to regain control is by focusing on scoring the first goal. “Statistics show that teams who score first don’t lose 80% of the time. Coming from behind is always harder, especially when confidence is low,” he said.

Allardyce emphasized that fixing City’s problems requires a collective effort. “It’s not just about the defense; the entire team needs to step up. The back four need more protection from those in front of them, but they also need to take more responsibility. At a club like City, defenders should be able to handle one-on-one situations,” he noted.

Guardiola now faces the challenge of addressing these issues quickly, with am important Manchester derby against United at the Etihad Stadium close. The City boss will be desperate to stop his team’s slide and get back to their winning streak.