ManCity in crisis

Pep panicked: “Definitely sign players”

Pep Guardiola is calling for reinforcements in January. But that is not so easy to come by.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Pep Guardiola has declared that Manchester City would like to sign a few new players in the winter transfer window. The crisis of recent weeks is noticeably affecting the coach and his team, who are spoiled for success. But signing new players in January is no easy matter, as the 53-year-old is well aware.

"We have to add players. In any case. Absolutely," Guardiola told Amazon Prime after another sobering 1-1 draw against Everton on Boxing Day. Because his team has been in a deep crisis for weeks. "We have problems in defense and midfield in particular," analyzed the coach - knowing full well that the real goal guarantor Erling Haaland has also failed to deliver recently. He even missed a penalty against Everton.

"I think we have to act," says the soccer coach nervously, even though he is aware that it will be difficult to sign new players in January who will immediately strengthen the squad. "The transfer window in winter is not easy," Guardiola admits, but still sees no alternative. 

Champions League in danger
Even the club's "smaller goals" have long been in jeopardy. City no longer even want to talk about the championship. After all, they are currently only in seventh place and the gap to league leaders Liverpool has grown to 14 points. The Reds also have one game less to play. 

In Manchester, however, there is much more to worry about. Their participation in the Champions League is also in serious danger. City are facing a sporting disaster: "When I said that earlier, people laughed. They said: 'Qualifying for the Champions League is not a great success'. But I know, because that's how it is with the competition in this country," concluded the 53-year-old.