The two stories of Guardiola at Man City

25/12/2025 21:27:00 ScoreStream

This season at Manchester City is not only about strategy or winning titles, but also about Pep Guardiola’s intricate approach to managing his players. In a team that is both strong and extremely stable, not every gifted player gets to shine at the perfect time.

Omar Marmoush and Matheus Nunes perfectly illustrate this. One fights to secure a spot because of scarce opportunities, while the other endures by continuously adapting. Different paths, but both mirror Pep’s unwavering philosophy.

Omar Marmoush is talented but still has to wait

For Omar Marmoush, the biggest challenge at Man City isn’t his skill but the fiercely competitive environment. After a breakout year in the Bundesliga, the Egyptian forward joined Etihad and quickly drew attention, especially following a goal considered the most beautiful of the Premier League season in a win over Bournemouth last May. However, as the new season began, the door to a starting position nearly closed for Marmoush.

Erling Haaland remains the undisputed number one striker, while supporting roles are filled by players hitting their peak such as Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and newcomers who integrated quickly. Consequently, Marmoush was relegated to a substitute role, with very limited minutes on the pitch. An early-season injury further disrupted his rhythm just as Man City found stability and a winning style.

Statistics show that Pep Guardiola hardly gave Marmoush a genuine chance. In many key matches, he was unused or only came on during the final minutes. Ironically, the rare occasion Marmoush played a full game was in the League Cup, where he also scored. This highlights a familiar paradox at Man City: to prove their worth, players need playing time; yet to earn playing time, they must prove their value in very limited opportunities.

Wearing the Egyptian national jersey, Marmoush appears as a completely different player. His crucial goal against Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup not only helped his team survive but also showcased his qualities when trusted and given sufficient minutes. For Pep, Marmoush isn’t yet ready to disrupt the established order. But for Marmoush himself, every national team appearance is a reminder that he still has much to prove and needs a clearer foundation of trust at Etihad.

Guardiola still holds his own unique philosophy in player management

Matheus Nunes survives through adaptation

If Marmoush’s story is about a player lacking opportunity, Matheus Nunes exemplifies survival through relentless adaptation under Pep Guardiola. Joining Man City late in the summer 2023 transfer window after major deals fell through, Nunes was initially seen as a stopgap and quickly removed from his midfield role, which he played at Sporting Lisbon.

Pep doubted Nunes’ discipline and control to play in the Premier League midfield. Instead, he repeatedly tested him in various positions: right wing, left wing, left back, then right back. At times, Nunes made basic mistakes, lost confidence, and disappeared from the squad for weeks. But unlike many others, he never gave up.

At right back, Nunes gradually found his place. His stamina, speed, and ability to contribute both offensively and defensively provided Man City with a distinct option, especially as Pep needed rotation and to ease the burden on other players. His weaknesses in ball handling and defending slowly improved.

More notably, when Man City’s midfield was ravaged by injuries and exhaustion, Pep moved Nunes back to midfield in the closing stages of matches. Not as a permanent solution, but as a flexible tactical option to share the load with Nico Gonzalez during Rodri and Kovacic’s absences.

From the cases of Nunes and Marmoush, it is clear that under Pep Guardiola nothing is guaranteed. Everyone has a chance, but all must adapt and wait. For Pep, a player’s value isn’t defined by their familiar position but by their ability to serve the team in any role.

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