A 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest condemned the Premier League champions to their ninth league defeat of the campaign – equalling their record for most league defeats in a season during the Spaniard’s reign.
And for the first time under Guardiola, qualification for the Champions League is under serious threat.
It is a scenario that was unthinkable as City lifted their fourth consecutive league title last May.
Though a fifth-placed finish could yet provide a Champions League lifeline, there are just five points between fourth-placed City and Fulham in 10th as we enter the final stage of the season.
Manchester City have not missed out on Champions League qualification since the 2009-10 season.
They have qualified for the tournament with relative ease in seven of Guardiola’s eight full seasons at Etihad Stadium.
The only exception came during Guardiola’s first season in England, when City sealed Champions League qualification on the final day of the 2016-17 season by finishing third.
City’s nine Premier League defeats this season is the joint-most under Guardiola.
City have conceded 38 times in 28 matches this term – more than they’ve conceded in the seven out of eight full campaigns under Guardiola.
City have lost 15 of their past 30 matches across all competitions. Their previous 15 defeats before that came over a period of 169 matches.
Speaking to TNT Sports, former Everton and Swansea defender Ashley Williams summed up the unprecedented position City find themselves in.
“We are so used to seeing Man City be exceptional that a season like this is considered a crisis,” said Williams.
Former City defender Joleon Lescott said it would be a “disaster” if City failed to qualify for the Champions League.
“City are in control of their fate. It would be disastrous if they didn’t qualify for the top four,” said Lescott.
