We asked ChatGPT how Pep Guardiola can fix Manchester City – here are the EIGHT things he must address to make his champions a winning force again

One win, three draws and nine defeats. It’s still unbelievable, but hey, that’s Man City’s record in the previous thirteen games.

While the initial poor form could be described as a ‘blip’ for the Premier League champions, we can now say that Pep Guardiola and his side are deep in uncharted territory.

Never has the Spaniard been in such a position. It feels like all eyes are on struggling City and no matter what they do, they can’t seem to get out of this slump.

It’s a situation that has Guardiola scratching his head – literally – looking for answers, but as the weeks go by he fails to come up with those answers.

After the recent 1-1 draw against Everton, he insisted City needed to recruit new players to help them in their efforts. However, can more be done?

We asked ChatGPT how Guardiola can overcome their dismal form and here are the eight things the AI ​​software suggested.

Question: How can Pep Guardiola fix Manchester City?

Answer:

1. Defensive stability

Challenge: Manchester City’s defense has been shaky at times, especially in big games, with loss of concentration and vulnerability on the counter-attack.

Solution:

Robust central defender combination: City have occasionally struggled with injuries to key defenders such as Ruben Dias and John Stones. Building a more consistent partnership in central defense or adding another top-class centre-back could provide more depth.

Wing-backs as defenders: The reliance on wing-backs for attacks has at times left City vulnerable defensively. Guardiola could see them play a more balanced role by providing defensive cover without compromising too much on offensive support.

Faster recovery from counter-attacks: Thanks to the high defensive line, City is vulnerable to teams that can break quickly. Protecting against these situations could require more disciplined positioning from midfielders and centre-backs.

2. Fluency and creativity in midfield

Challenge: Although City have one of the most talented midfields in Europe, there can be times when creativity falters or the team becomes too predictable in its build-up.

Solution:

More dynamic midfielders: Adding a dynamic box-to-box midfielder or someone with more flair and direct dribbling could provide another dimension. A player who can break the lines with passing or dribbling would diversify City’s attacking options.

Replacing Rodri’s role: While Rodri is usually crucial in a midfield role, City have struggled in the Spaniard’s absence. Instead, Guardiola could experiment with using a double pivot to provide more versatility, especially against teams that sit deep.

Innovative use of Bernardo Silva: Although Silva is often deployed on the wing, Guardiola could consider using him more centrally to connect play and create overload in the final third.

3. Selection rotation and depth

Challenge: Manchester City’s squad is among the deepest in Europe, but Guardiola has been criticized for relying too much on key players in certain positions, especially in attack. Injuries or fatigue can be a problem in a long season.

Solution:

More balanced rotation: Guardiola could continue to develop squad rotation strategies, ensuring key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and others are well-rested for crucial matches without sacrificing quality.

Developing younger players: Integrating more young players into the first team, or loaning them out to gain experience, would allow for more depth without relying too much on the core group of veterans.

4. Consistency in finishing and goals

Challenge: Despite having a clinical striker like Erling Haaland, there are games where City create numerous chances but fail to convert them. There are periods when their goal percentage drops.

Solution:

Diversified attack: Guardiola could look to distribute the number of goals more evenly across the team. This could mean optimizing the finishing of players like Savinho, Jack Grealish or even his midfielders like Bernardo Silva.

More composure in front of goal: Sometimes City can get too complicated in their play in search of the perfect goal. Ensuring players are more decisive in front of goal can reduce the chance of valuable opportunities being missed.

5. Adaptation to opponents’ strategies

Challenge: Pep’s style is often to dominate possession and control games, but some teams have managed to nullify City’s attacking threats by defending deep and playing on the counter-attack.

Solution:

More direct play when necessary: ​​Although Guardiola is known for his possession-based play, there are times when a more direct approach may be necessary, especially against teams who sit deep. The team could become more effective with quick transitions or longer balls to Haaland.

Flexibility in tactics: Guardiola must ensure that his tactical approach can vary depending on the opponent. For example, by playing with a more compact midfield against teams that dominate possession, or by using a more emphasis strategy when facing teams that build from the back.

Utilizing width more effectively: At times, City’s attack can be overly centralised, making it easier for opponents to defend. By using the width of the pitch more effectively – by stretching the opposition and creating more space in the middle – City can open up new attacking options.

6. Dealing with pressure during big matches

Challenge: Despite success in domestic competitions, City have faced problems in the Champions League and occasionally in high-stakes domestic matches, especially in the knockout stages.

Solution:

Mental toughness: Guardiola should focus on cultivating mental toughness, especially in knockout scenarios or crucial league matches. City must have the ability to remain calm and stick to their game plan, even under intense pressure.

Manage the expectations of big games: Guardiola will need to ensure that both he and his players are not burdened by the expectations that come with their success. Not all matches need to be approached with an overly ambitious attacking mentality; sometimes patience and game management are the keys in big moments.

7. Capitalizing on Haaland’s strengths

Challenge: Haaland’s physicality and clinical finishing have transformed City’s attack, but there are times when City’s convoluted style seems to marginalize him in high-possession situations.

Solution:

Tailoring the game to Haaland’s strengths: Guardiola can continue to find ways to optimize Haaland’s role in the team. This includes utilizing his speed and positioning on counter-attacks, and ensuring he is more likely to receive service in dangerous areas, especially with crosses from deep and through balls from midfield.

Link play: Guardiola could also encourage Haaland to become more involved in the link play, which would make City less dependent on perfect passing from others and allow the striker to contribute to the build-up play.

8. Mental preparation for major tournaments

Challenge: City are a dominant force in the Premier League, but when it comes to European competitions such as the Champions League, they suffer from a sense of over-ambition or tactical rigidity.

Solution:

Approach big games with flexibility: Especially in the Champions League, Guardiola could focus more on adaptability, switching between possession and more pragmatic tactics when necessary.

Experience in the squad: Adding players with experience on big European nights, or ensuring current stars know how to deal with the high-pressure of knockout football, will be key to progressing in the Champions League.