Manchester City are in uncharted territory under Pep Guardiola.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 Aston Villa in 10th as we enter the final stage of the season.
City’s ‘crisis’ in numbersManchester 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.
