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'Self-doubt, errors & big changes' - inside the crisis at Man City

Guillem Balague column

Pep Guardiola has not been through a moment like this in his managerial career.

Manchester City have lost nine matches in their past 12 - as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 106 fixtures.

At the end of October, City were still unbeaten at the top of the Premier League and favourites to win a fifth successive title. Now they are seventh, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more.

It has been an incredible fall from grace and left people trying to work out what has happened - and whether Guardiola can make it right.

After discussing the situation with those who know him best, I have taken a closer look at the future - both short and long term - and how the current crisis at Man City is going to be solved.

Man City manager Pep GuardiolaGetty Images

Pep Guardiola's Man City have lost nine of their past 12 matches

'Guardiola always doubts himself'

Guardiola has also been giving it a lot of thought. He has not been sleeping very well, as he has said, and has not been himself at times when talking to the media.

He has been talking to a lot of people about what is going on as he tries to work out the reasons for City's demise. Some reasons he knows, others he still doesn't.

What people perhaps do not realise is Guardiola hugely doubts himself and always has.

He will be thinking "I'm not going to be able to get us out of this" and needs the of people close to him to push away those insecurities - and he has that.

He is protected by his people who are very aware, like he is, that there are a lot of people that want City to fail.

It has been a turbulent time for Guardiola. those marks he had on his head after the 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League?

He always scratches his head, it is a gesture of nervousness. Normally nothing happens but on that day one of his nails was far too sharp so, after talking to the players in the changing room where he scratched his head because of his usual agitated gesturing, he went to the news conference.

His right-hand man Manel Estiarte sent him photos in a message saying "what have you got on your head">