Guardiola s worst career start: How and why did Manchester City shatter?

A visibly dejected Pep Guardiola walked onto the field after Manchester City's 2-1 loss to Brighton, a defeat that solidified the worst league start of his entire managerial career. Following a 2-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur, this latest result leaves the champions with just three points from three games. For the first time since September 2021, City sits below Manchester United in the Premier League table, a statistic that highlights just how long Guardiola's side has operated with a sense of invincibility.

That aura of invincibility, however, appears to have vanished. After controlling the first hour of the game and taking an early lead through Erling Haaland, City’s performance unravelled. A quadruple substitution from Brighton's manager Fabian Hurzeler injected a "virus" of energy into his team, and City showed little to no resistance. Despite having a core of top players like Ruben Dias, John Stones, Rodri, and Haaland on the pitch, they meekly surrendered their lead.

Rodri described his team’s sloppy play as "kid mistakes," while Guardiola said his side "forgot to continue playing" after Brighton's penalty. This acceptance of defeat is the most worrying sign. Once a team like City shows vulnerability, it loses its "granite chin." Opponents are no longer overawed; they are emboldened.

While a full-blown crisis may not be imminent, the team's inconsistency is a major concern. City's problems go beyond a few bad results; they are experiencing growing pains. The defensive line is often out of sync, the midfield lacks balance between creativity and security, and the front three rarely link up.

Despite the struggles, there are still bright spots. Abdukodir Khusanov and Tijjani Reijnders have shown promise, and Oscar Bobb looks ready to claim the right wing. But with too many positions in a state of flux and a noticeable lack of team chemistry, Guardiola has much to ponder. The Premier League's "ferocious middle class" has seen the champions' weaknesses, and they will continue to attack those vulnerabilities until City finds a way to recapture their legendary fear factor.