Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola clearly took defeat in the derby hard as he came out to make that bold claim that he is “not good enough” in his post-match interview.
Guardiola looked like he was on course to steer Man City back towards the right direction with just a few minutes to go in the 195th Manchester derby on Sunday night, with an albeit narrow 1-0 lead over local rivals United who certainly haven’t been enjoying their best season either.
However, in case you’ve been living under a rock, the Premier League champions didn’t hang on and thanks to a late penalty from captain Bruno Fernandes and an even later goal by Amad Diallo who actually won the spot-kick and was tenacious all game, the game ended 2-1.
Speaking to the media after the full-time whistle, Pep summed things up by saying simply: “We have no defence [for the recent run of results]” before adding, “I’m not good enough, I’m not doing well.”
"I'm the boss, I'm the manager and I'm not good enough."
Pep Guardiola in his post match press conference after the Manchester derby defeat 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/EUOW1Yr5Rm
As former City fullback turned Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards said after the game, Guardiola was clearly trying to take the brunt of the pressure away from the players but did insist that as the coach he is tasked with “finding the solution” and, unfortunately for the Blues, he doesn’t have one right now.
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“I’m not good enough. I am the boss, the manager, I have to find solutions and so far I haven’t. That’s the reality”, Pep reiterated. “We want to play better, create chances. But at the moment it’s not possible.”
“The results are not good, the game was not exceptional. I know the situation, I understand but [this is the reality].” Not only has the Catalan coach now lost five games in a row for the first time in his career but that’s now just one win in the last 11 games for City (eight losses and two draws).
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The 53-year-old also went on to argue that it cannot be “the same problems” that fans and pundits have been arguing as he has already taken steps to adjust tactics and rotate the squad but the issues are still prevailing regardless.
The absence of Rodri is one that they’ve still been unable to circumvent; even with the return of other key players from injury, they just don’t look the same team without the Ballon d’Or winner and Pep doesn’t look the same man either.
It goes without saying that as one of the most successful and multi-record-breaking football managers in history, this admittedly poor patch very much doesn’t suddenly mean that Pep ‘isn’t good enough’, though it’s hard to see how he’s going to pull them out of the mire.
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As for the new United boss, Rúben Amorim, that’s two wins in his last two against the City boss and a first Manchester derby victory at the first time of asking.
The Red Devils were also in dire need of a statement win against strong opposition as they continue to try and navigate the early storms new managers often face and besides beating league leaders Liverpool, scalps don’t get much bigger than City.
You can watch all that late drama and the rest of the highlights from the Manchester derby down below:
Featured Images — Optus Sports/Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Swinton women’s Lionesses rebrand is officially off the ground
Danny Jones
Following an initial announcement late last year, local rugby club Swinton Lions’ women’s team has finally and fully rebranded as Manchester Swinton Lionesses.
The Salford-founded rugby league club, whose men’s team competes in the RFL Championship, has a long and rich competitive history, as well as a fervent male and female following in the area.
As one of the most important and well-established outfits in women’s rugby, Swinton Lions have not only officially relaunched as the Lionesses from 2026 onwards, but are looking to re-establish themselves as their own entity and a competitive powerhouse capable of competing at the top level.
In case you hadn’t heard about the rebrand up until now, you can get a closer look at changes not only to the name but the club crest and more.
As you can see, not only is the shift towards Manchester rather than just strictly Swinton a concerted effort to broaden the supporter base across all 10 boroughs, but there are some key tweaks to the new Lionesses badge.
Changing the design of the lion logo itself – as well as citing 2020 as a key date in this rebirth (i.e. the short-lived push to be renamed the ‘Manchester Lions’), which is more than half a decade in the making – they’re heading into the new year with both a new name and a slightly new look.
Just as reported by the likes of sports journalist Johnny Davidson back in November, however, the title and insignia have been a long time coming.
As per a press release by the club at the time, besides new kits and some key admin, “This evolution is about more than a new name or logo; it’s about creating a platform for women and girls across Greater Manchester to be inspired, to belong, and to believe they can achieve greatness in our sport.”
They insist that the aim is to be a “progressive club that’s proud of its history but unafraid to innovate”, also looking to attract new investors and commercial partners – such as Superfly Sports Flags, which will now appear on the likes of players’ shorts and boot bags, as well as around Heywood Road.
'The Swinton Lionesses today proudly announced the launch of their new identity – the Manchester Swinton Lionesses – marking an exciting new chapter not only for women’s rugby league but for the evolution and ambition of one of the sport’s most historic clubs.
Women’s captain Sammi Simpson went on to state: “We’re so proud of what this team has achieved in such a short time, and this next step feels like a natural evolution.
“Wearing ‘Manchester Swinton Lionesses’ on our shirts will remind us of where we’ve come from — and how far we can go together. We want to inspire the next generation of players, supporters, and families to be part of something special.”
Even Mayor Andy Burnham has expressed his excitement, adding: “Manchester is a city built on sport, strength, and community — and the Manchester Swinton Lionesses embody all of that.
“This new identity is a powerful statement about where women’s rugby league is heading and the role Greater Manchester will play in shaping that future.”
As any rugby fan will know, this isn’t the only rebirth of a local sporting institution currently taking place over in Salford.
Manchester City reach ‘agreement in principle’ to sign winger Antoine Semenyo
Danny Jones
Yes, if the latest reports are to be believed, Man City are further bolstering their offensive options with a deal for another wide forward in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo, now virtually done.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, it looks as though City have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
According to sports journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, the Blues have now reached an ‘agreement in principle’ for the Ghanaian international, meaning it is merely just a case of crossing Ts and dotting Is.
🚨 BREAKING: Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City from Bournemouth is now agreed in principle. Clubs in process of drafting paperwork.
Clarity on Semenyo's move date expected in the next 24 hours.
As per the update on New Year’s Day (and the opening 24 hours of the 2026 January transfer window), the talkSPORT correspondents claim that while final personal terms are still to be fully confirmed, the deal is effectively done.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses are likely to set a club record fee in terms of player sales.
Writing on social media, Crook said: “Semenyo move from #AFCB to #MCFC pretty much done now. Deal agreed in principle, and contracts being drafted by the two clubs.”
Moreover, Semenyo joining City could also set a few other dominoes in motion once officially over the line and fully announced…
However, it is also thought that manager Andoni Iraola’s insistence that the draw against Chelsea was “definitely not” his last game suggests that City fans will still have to wait some more before they see him in the sky blue strip.
The Cherries’ boss has been clear that he wants his attacking talisman to feature in their upcoming game against Arsenal this weekend.
As a result, this will most likely see completion of the albeit all but done transfer delayed even further, hence why Pep Guardiola and co. will have to wait to try him in the starting XI.
It’s also worth noting that although the 25-year-old made it clear he doesn’t just want somewhere he can win trophies, but has already named the Etihad Stadium as his desired destination, many have suggested that he could end up losing momentum amid the wealth of attackers being rotated.
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Danny Jones -
16th December 2024 
