Manchester City’s unexpected 2-1 defeat to Brighton has sparked a fiery debate among fans, with many pointing the finger directly at Pep Guardiola. On social media and fan forums, the sentiment is clear: this loss is on the manager, and some are even questioning his future at the club.

The Blame Game: Why Fans Are Targeting Pep

The primary criticism revolves around Guardiola’s tactical decisions and a perceived lack of adaptability. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues fans are highlighting:

* Substitutions: A major talking point is the timing and nature of Guardiola’s substitutions. While Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hürzeler, made a quadruple change that completely shifted the momentum of the match, Guardiola’s response was seen as too slow and ineffective. Brighton’s new players injected pace and urgency, something City struggled to counter, leading to the late goals.

* Player Selection: The choice to start Rodri, who has been carrying a recent injury, is also under scrutiny. Fans believe he wasn’t at his best, and his lack of sharpness was exploited. The absence of key players like Phil Foden and the decision to bench Ederson are also raising questions about whether Guardiola had his best lineup on the pitch for such a crucial game.

*Recurring Problems: For many supporters, this defeat isn’t an isolated incident. They see it as a continuation of “the same old problems” where City can dominate possession but fail to create clear-cut chances. There’s a growing frustration that the team becomes vulnerable to quick, counter-attacking sides and lacks a plan B when the typical passing game isn’t working.

The Call for Change

While talk of sacking a manager who has delivered so much success may seem extreme, the disappointment among a section of the fanbase is palpable. Chants of “getting sacked in the morning” were reportedly heard from the Brighton fans, reflecting the external pressure that always accompanies a City defeat.

Guardiola, for his part, has always been defiant in the face of criticism, often stating he will not change his core footballing philosophy. After the match, he acknowledged the need to “clean our heads” during the international break.

This loss is a significant wake-up call. While one defeat won’t derail a season, the way it happened—with City seemingly unable to adapt to their opponent’s changes—has ignited a firestorm of debate. Whether this is a momentary blip or the start of a more serious issue for Manchester City and their manager remains to be seen.