City’s slump is set against the backdrop of Guardiola’s unresolved future. He is in the final year of his contract and it was widely expected within the club during the summer that he would leave in 2025, alongside director of football Txiki Begiristain, whose departure, and the arrival of Hugo Viana as his replacement, was confirmed in October.

Pep Guardiola and Lee Carsley are on a collision course over Jack Grealish after the Manchester City boss revealed his England counterpart did not contact him before calling up the injured star.