Manchester City’s Era of Dominance May Be Slipping Away

For the past few years, Manchester City have looked nearly untouchable. With Pep Guardiola at the helm, they’ve dominated English football and Europe with an unmatched level of control and consistency. But after a string of recent performances and transfer changes, it’s starting to feel like that reign might be nearing its end.

In matches where City would typically steamroll opponents, they’re now looking more vulnerable. Whether it’s dropped points in winnable games or moments of sloppy defending, there’s a growing sense that something’s missing. The aura of invincibility isn’t quite there anymore.

Part of that comes down to personnel. The team has lost key players over the last couple of seasons Ilkay Gündoğan, Riyad Mahrez, and more recently Kevin De Bruyne’s absence due to injury have all played a role. These were players who could shift momentum or produce magic out of nothing. While the replacements are talented, it’s clear that something hasn't fully clicked yet.

Tactically, teams have also started to figure City out a bit more. They’re pressing higher, crowding midfield, and forcing City to adapt mid-match something they’ve struggled with at times this season. Guardiola has always found ways to evolve, but the transition isn’t always smooth.

It’s not all doom and gloom. City are still very much in the hunt for silverware, and with talents like Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rodri, they have enough to compete at the highest level. But the dominance we saw from 2021 to 2023 where they could win without even hitting top gear feels like it’s fading.

This isn’t a crisis. It’s a reminder that even the best dynasties have to evolve or risk being caught. Whether Guardiola can rebuild another unstoppable side or whether this is the natural winding down of a historic run, only time will tell. For now, though, the rest of the league is starting to believe again—and that in itself says a lot.