Manchester City’s Halloween Gathering: A Lighthearted Approach to Recovery

Two days before facing Bournemouth, Manchester City organized a Halloween party for players and their families, featuring a cinema-style entrance adorned with ‘Wanted’ and ‘Missing’ posters of Pep Guardiola’s squad. Guests, including defender Rúben Dias dressed as Jack Sparrow, were welcomed by an old-school theater ambiance complete with red velvet curtains and a marquee sign that read, “Now screening: I Know What You Did Last Season,” a playful nod to the team’s struggles.

The 2024-25 campaign has been a challenging one for City, plagued by injuries and a notable decline in form after winning four consecutive Premier League titles. However, the players and staff have adopted a lighthearted approach to their situation, using humor to cope with their adversities while still striving to prove their resilience.

Guardiola has largely refrained from discussing the team’s potential achievements this season, as the mixed performance thus far—featuring victories against Manchester United and Napoli, alongside defeats to Tottenham, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Aston Villa—has left much uncertainty. Nevertheless, City currently sits second in the league, poised for a significant match against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. This game will be pivotal in determining whether City is genuinely back in contention for the title or still navigating a period of reconstruction.

To address the challenges, Guardiola has altered his approach by unexpectedly canceling training the day before the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, granting players a day off instead. This decision came in light of Dortmund’s extra rest due to their fixture scheduling, and although it required special approval from UEFA, it proved effective, as City triumphed 4-1, moving up to fourth in their Champions League group.

Off the pitch, City has seen a significant loss of experience over the past year, with the exits of Éderson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan, and Kevin De Bruyne. Defender Josko Gvardiol noted the palpable impact of these departures, stating, “You can feel it… this is football. One day you are here, maybe next day you’re going to be somewhere else, and we need to accept it.”

In response to these changes, Guardiola has taken a more hands-on role in the dressing room, appointing his captains rather than allowing players to vote, recognizing that unity was a contributing factor to last season’s failures. Organizing events like the Halloween party is part of his strategy to restore team spirit and cohesion, focusing on the importance of morale as well as technical performance on the field.

The leadership group now comprises experienced players such as Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland, with Haaland’s selection as a leader surprising some. Guardiola has praised Haaland’s development on and off the pitch, highlighting his initiative in taking on media responsibilities ahead of the Dortmund match. Haaland expressed the collective disappointment from last season, emphasizing the need for improved stability and performance.

Despite the tumultuous changes, Guardiola has reassured fans of his commitment to the club by extending his contract until summer 2027. Gvardiol affirmed that Guardiola’s passion and energy remain undiminished, stating, “He wants to push us… when the manager is full of enthusiasm, it motivates us to fight as well.”

As the team prepares for their encounter with Liverpool, Guardiola’s outlook is markedly optimistic compared to earlier in the year. With City losing only one of their last 13 matches, he expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming challenge, looking forward to demonstrating that last season’s difficulties are firmly behind them.