Pep Guardiola Warned as ‘Fear Factor’ Around Man City is Gone After Slow Premier League Start
Manchester City have been the standard-bearers of English football for the better part of a decade, but Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes the aura that once surrounded Pep Guardiola’s side has started to fade. The Newcastle great insists that City’s opponents no longer feel intimidated when they line up against the reigning treble winners of 2023, pointing to a visible shift in the mentality of rival clubs.
Alan Shearer: “Manchester City No Longer Invincible”
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer suggested that the fear factor around Manchester City has disappeared following their underwhelming start to the new campaign.
“I wouldn’t say Pep has lost his touch,” Shearer explained, “but I’d say his team have lost that rhythm of winning. There’s no doubt that last season damaged them and made them easier to get at than they were two seasons ago. The injury to Rodri really hurt them, and their confidence took a knock.
“I also think that the fear factor may have gone because of what happened last year. Teams have realised that they’re not unbeatable. If you attack Man City, you can score goals and even take points. Eighteen months ago, teams would sit deep and soak up pressure. Now they believe they can actually go toe-to-toe with City and win.”
Shearer’s comments carry weight, not just because of his legendary status, but because City’s results over the last 12 months back up his argument.
How Rodri’s Injury Sparked a Downturn
The beginning of City’s decline can arguably be traced back to last season when midfield lynchpin Rodri suffered an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for most of the 2024-25 campaign. His absence left a gaping hole in Guardiola’s midfield, disrupting the team’s balance and exposing their defensive vulnerability.
The Cityzens went on to lose nine league matches – the most under Guardiola – and ended the season a staggering 13 points behind champions Liverpool. For a side that had been so accustomed to dominance, it was a reality check. The psychological blow seemed to linger even after Rodri’s return late in the season.
City did spend heavily in January and again in the summer transfer window, revamping parts of their squad. Many supporters hoped that would be enough to spark a revival and help reclaim their aura of invincibility.
A Mixed Start to the New Campaign
The new season began on a positive note with a resounding 4-0 win over Wolves on opening day. It looked like the City of old – slick, ruthless, and hungry. But that optimism was short-lived as Pep Guardiola’s men faltered in back-to-back games against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Both Spurs and Brighton pressed aggressively, refused to sit deep, and found ways to hurt City – exactly the type of bold approach Shearer referenced. Instead of brushing aside mid-table opposition as they once routinely did, City suddenly look like a side that can be rattled.
Guardiola’s tactical genius has been the foundation of City’s era of dominance, but even he has acknowledged that his squad is still finding its rhythm. The manager has rotated heavily, trying to integrate new signings and manage fitness levels, but the performances have lacked the same inevitability that was once their trademark.
The Fear Factor Used to Win Matches Before Kickoff
During City’s most dominant seasons, many Premier League opponents appeared beaten before a ball was even kicked. Teams would drop into deep blocks, hoping merely to survive and escape with minimal damage. City would strangle games with relentless possession, pinning sides in their own half until the breakthrough came.
But Shearer believes that time is over – at least for now. “When you’ve just won a treble, when you’ve just broken records, you carry an aura,” he said. “But lose that consistency, and suddenly teams sense an opportunity. That’s what we’re seeing now. There’s belief out there that City can be got at, and that makes life much harder for them.”
This shift in perception is significant because belief can be as powerful as talent. If opponents approach matches with confidence rather than fear, games become more open and unpredictable – exactly what City have struggled with in the past year.
A Crucial Manchester Derby Looms

Pep Guardiola
Guardiola will know what is at stake. The derby is not just about three points – it’s about reasserting authority, reminding rivals that this team still has the mentality of champions, and perhaps most importantly, restoring that lost fear factor.
Rodri is back fit, Kevin De Bruyne is nearing top form again, and Erling Haaland remains one of the most devastating strikers in world football. On paper, City have everything they need to turn things around. But football isn’t played on paper, and confidence can be fragile.
Can Guardiola Rekindle the Magic?
One thing Guardiola has consistently done throughout his career is respond to adversity. Whether at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or City, he has always found a way to evolve his teams. The question now is whether he can do it quickly enough to keep pace with Liverpool and Arsenal, who have both started the season strongly.
City fans will be hoping that Sunday’s derby provides the perfect platform for their side to rediscover that winning rhythm – and to re-establish the psychological edge that made them so feared.
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