Despite signing a new two-year contract extension last November, uncertainty over Guardiola’s future has not gone away. City endured a disappointing campaign last season – finishing third in the league, falling to Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout rounds, exiting the League Cup at the hands of Tottenham in the round of 16, and losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.
Their woes continued at the Club World Cup in the United States, where Al-Hilal dumped them out in the last 16. For ex-City midfielder Hamann, these setbacks signal the curtain coming down on Guardiola’s golden spell at the Etihad.
Speaking to the MEN through Grosvenor Casinos, the 52-year-old explained: “Everything has its time. We’ve seen Jurgen Klopp walk away from Liverpool after eight years because the demands became too much. Pep has stayed longer, but it’s a job that drains you – not only with football, but media duties, constant travelling, constant pressure.”
Hamann added that he was surprised Guardiola was still in charge by the end of last season: “I don’t think they’ll sack him – he’s achieved too much and has people like Begiristain behind him. But for me, the cycle is finished. I just don’t see him lifting either the Premier League or Champions League again. You can win a domestic cup with a handful of good games, but the big prizes demand a different spark, and I think it’s gone.”
He pointed to the challenge of motivating a squad that has been together for nearly a decade: “Players stop responding to the same voice. To rally the team and fans, you need fresh energy, a new fire. At City, it feels stale, flat. Guardiola has probably stayed one or two years longer than he should have.”
Although Guardiola committed himself until 2027, Hamann doubts he will stay that long: “When they extended his deal after a winning run, it felt more like a symbolic move to settle nerves than a genuine long-term plan. I’d be shocked if he’s still there in two years.”
City’s current season has also started unevenly. A 4-0 win against Wolves was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham and a 2-1 loss to Brighton, leaving them in 13th place after three matches. Next up is the first Manchester derby of the campaign, with Liverpool already six points clear at the top. City will be desperate to reignite their title push with victory over rivals United on Sunday.
