'Man City a victim of their own astronomical success'

"Pep Out!" Come on.. In a season that has been full of some of the craziest moments and stories beyond belief at Manchester City - from Erling Haaland and his bout with "Moonbeam" the mascot, to Jack Grealish's jaunt up to the north east for a few pints with locals - the idea that "Pep Out" has become a topic of conversation tops the lot.

It is worth reminding that for all of the challenges, difficulties, injuries and declining standards in performance throughout the course of the season, Manchester City could yet end the season with Champions League qualification via a top-four finish and two pieces of silverware as an FA Cup semi-final awaits. If you were to ask any Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham or perhaps even Arsenal fan at the start of the season whether they would deem a top-four finish plus an FA Cup and Community Shield success as a positive season, the vast majority would answer "yes" without hesitation. Manchester City are merely a victim of their own astronomical success over the past seven years, and while it goes without saying that the standards have dropped substantially this season, the idea that Pep Guardiola has not earned the opportunity to rebuild this squad is an outstandingly bad take.



It is simultaneously as fair to suggest that Guardiola himself has had a torrid season on a personal note when it comes to some of his selection decisions and a seemingly unavoidable allegiance to ageing stars in his squad that have given him so much over the course of his Manchester City tenure. The 54-year-old has also himself admitted that it was his call not to rebuild his side during the most recent summer transfer window - as originally planned by senior club officials. That in itself is an astonishingly bad decision, albeit in hindsight.

But Guardiola still remains the best manager of all-time in the eyes of the majority, and those sorts of figures must be trusted to go again. The very best and most successful in the game also have the best players - that is a fact. Guardiola simply does not have anywhere near the best players right now, and give him the keys to a rebuild and things may be very different.

Rebuild and things do not improve? Well, we could be talking about "Pep Out" in a more serious tone at some stage in the future. For now, trust a master at work. Things will improve.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra.