There is nothing wrong with sacking Pep Guardiola

Some things are not meant to be right? No matter how hard you try, an end goal just slips away. Every time. So it feels with Manchester City and their efforts of trying to win the UEFA Champions League. Especially under Pep Guardiola. Therefore, his sacking may hardly be argued.

Pep Guardiola is a genius. He is one of the best footballing managers of the last decade, make no mistake about it. How he transformed the club and made it one of the most ruthless forces in the world's football is unique.

He had a lot of help from the owner's vast bank account, yes. But his touch on a team is evident and efficient. He made so many players better and made them do things, some of them may not have even thought of doing before.

However, despite all Premier League titles, all FA and Carabao Cup wins, one "castle" still remains intact. After all these years, Manchester City still did not win a UEFA Champions League. A trophy that has been a major priority in all those years. A trophy that symbolizes an obsession for the club's owners.

Manchester City was the closest last year when they had lost to Chelsea in the final. This year, they were knocked out in the semi-final, making a Spaniard a coach with the most semi-final exits in the history of the UEFA Champions League together with José Mourinho (6).

So, the big question is: Should Pep Guardiola be sacked despite all his brilliance and titles? After all, the most obvious reason for his departure is there. No Champions League trophy in the club's cabinet yet again.

As unfair and ruthless as it may seem, I think that anyone can hardly argue with the owners if they make that common footballing decision of terminating the manager's contract. Pep Guardiola himself even said in the past that he is judged mostly by the UEFA Champions League's progress.

But do we expect it? If I was pulling strings, I would not sack the 51-year-old. As frustrated as I might have been in that position, one or two reasons will remain in the Spaniard's favor. That is, who of the (available) top managers can actually do it? I don't see anyone doing it with City instead of the ex-midfielder.

Carlo Ancelotti is retiring, Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp are not available, Diego Simeone is not likely to abandon his "Atletico's home yard", José Mourinho had managed the closest rival before and may not be considered as the most desirable candidate, while Massimiliano Allegri isn't really at the top of the game lately.

So who do we put our trust in? Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino are the only ones with, let's say, the most chances of realistically hoping to reach the final. And maybe eventually winning it. But getting them would certainly not be a walk in the park.

Furthermore, in the past current Manchester City manager seem to be making obvious mistakes with his team selections and tactics (quarter-final exit against Lyon in that first pandemic year as the most known example) and bad luck (VAR offside decision against Tottenham). This time he seem to have played every card right and still did not emerge victoriously. How Real Madrid scored twice and Jack Grealish missed an open goal for 2:0 will go down as one of the biggest mysteries in that beautiful game.

All in all, I think Pep Guardiola will be the manager of Manchester City next season. I think the dust will settle and the owners will give him another chance next year due to the reasons above. Unless Premier League title will also go down the drain. Then a new wind can start blowing sooner than expected …