Erling Haaland: Manchester City Players ‘Still Believe’ in Pep Guardiola Despite Latest Defeat

Erling Haaland has reaffirmed Manchester City’s unwavering belief in manager Pep Guardiola, even as their alarming slump in form continued with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. The loss marked City’s ninth defeat in 12 matches across all competitions, leaving the reigning Premier League champions in sixth place, nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have played two fewer games.

City’s Struggles Deepen

Jhon Duran and former City player Morgan Rogers delivered decisive blows for Villa, while Phil Foden’s stoppage-time strike offered little solace for Guardiola’s men. City are now winless in their last eight away matches, a streak that has compounded their struggles and raised questions about the squad’s confidence and cohesion.

Haaland, who has found himself under scrutiny amid City’s struggles, admitted his own shortcomings in the wake of the defeat.

“Of course we are disappointed; it’s not good enough. It’s not good enough from me,” Haaland told TNT Sports.
“We’re Man City. We should be out there. We have to continue, we have to believe, and we have to keep working hard.”

Haaland Takes Responsibility

The Norwegian striker, who has failed to score in three consecutive matches, was candid about his recent performances.

“First, I’m looking at myself. I haven’t been doing things good enough; I haven’t been scoring my chances. I have to do better,” Haaland admitted.
“Confidence is important, and you can see that it affects every human being. That is how it is. We have to continue and stay positive, even though it is difficult.”

Faith in Guardiola Remains Strong

Despite City’s prolonged dip in form, Haaland emphasized the squad’s trust in Guardiola’s ability to turn things around.

“He won the Premier League six times in seven years, so we will never forget that. He will find the solutions. He has been doing that every single year except one in the last seven years. We still believe in him; we have to work harder than ever right now.”

Guardiola, who has appeared increasingly tense on the sidelines, has yet to find the answers to City’s current woes. However, Haaland is confident in the manager’s track record and ability to guide the team out of their slump.

Upcoming Challenges

City will look to bounce back during the festive period, with a home clash against struggling Everton on Boxing Day followed by a trip to Leicester City on December 29. Both matches represent opportunities for the defending champions to regain momentum and restore some confidence heading into the new year.

Key Takeaways

• Winless Streak: City’s last eight away games have failed to yield a victory, a troubling trend for a team used to dominating.
• Haaland’s Accountability: The striker has shouldered responsibility for his recent lack of form but remains optimistic about turning things around.
• Belief in Guardiola: Despite the mounting pressure, City’s players remain united behind their manager, confident in his ability to navigate this challenging period.

The defending champions face a critical juncture in their season, with the Boxing Day fixture against Everton offering a chance to arrest their decline and reignite their campaign.