Manchester City are going through the worst period of Pep Guardiola's tenure so far. The Spaniard, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini as City's new manager in 2016, has never had a run as bad as their current form - just one win in 12 and just four points from a possible 24 in the Premier League.

It's a patch that has seen City suffer a Carabao Cup exit, move to within the brink of elimination from the Champions League and fall 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in the title race. Guardiola's side were beaten 2-1 at Aston Villa in their latest defeat on Saturday and sit seventh in the league table.

After the game at Villa Park, ex-City defender Joleon Lescott and Peter Crouch discussed whether Guardiola should resign from his position or not, despite signing a two-year deal at the start of the month.

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"I don't think Guardiola is anywhere close to resigning," Lescott told TNT Sports. "He's someone that thrives on a challenge. He will see this as a challenge. I don't think he's anywhere close to thinking about resigning."

Crouch added: "I think he stays. I think he leaves when he wants to. It's whether he can turn it around. The man's a genius. He's changed the face of football in this country. He's not had this test anywhere he's been. He's one of the greatest we've ever seen. You'd expect him to turn it around."

There has since been debate around the footballing world about whether Guardiola will resign from his post or stay and try and restore City's fortunes. It comes as City wait to hear from the independent hearing into the 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules facing them, with relegation a distinct possibility.

With this in mind, our Manchester Evening News writers discuss whether Guardiola will and should leave...

Kieran King

Who saw this Manchester City fall off coming? I certainly didn't. Yes, they are missing some key players, such as Rodri and Ruben Dias, but their recent form and performances have been awful. I was surprised at how flat City were against Villa on Saturday and it wasn't like them at all.

Has that hunger gone? Has that desire gone? I have no doubt City still have the quality in that team and squad to be performing much better than what they are right now, so questions have to be asked.

As for the manager, can he do much more? There is no doubt Guardiola will be doing all he can behind the scenes to figure out a solution for City's struggles but when does he give up? I can't see it anytime soon and I don't think that he will resign, especially considering I am backing City to win their next two matches.

Although Everton have been very good defensively, I see City winning that one on Boxing Day and I think they will put Leicester to the cleaners on Sunday, securing much-needed back-to-back victories. I feel that them two wins will put them back on track and Guardiola sticking put at least until the end of the season.

Stephen Killen

Pep Guardiola is one of a kind, there is absolutely no secret about that. Chants of 'sacked in the morning' among others will be bruising for the trophy-winning manager but this will only add to the character of one of the greatest managers in Premier League history.

A lot has been said about how Guardiola, in each of his managerial roles, has inherited the best squads, budgets and hasn't had to do much but it's easy to forget how he has made City go from Premier League winners to European giants. In their pomp, they were formidable and broke records that no one has before, you could have all the money and tools in the world but without a figurehead like Guardiola, it would never be achieved.

The Catalan has brought the good times to the Etihad and the current downturn in form is as a result of multiple factors - more so with injuries. There will be lessons for Guardiola to take from this torrid spate of form but it will make him an even better manager, for City this will only strike fear into the rest of the Premier League. There is no question that he should step down or be sacked, it is ludicrous.

Mark Wakefield

It can no longer be in doubt that this is the most difficult season during Pep Guardiola's illustrious tenure as Manchester City manager. Winning the league title seems unlikely at this point, thanks to a 12-point gap with leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand.

There have only been two seasons in Guardiola's time as City boss where he has not won a league title. Failing to finish first is not the end of the world for City, but one win in 12 with nine losses in that run cannot be ignored.

Guardiola recently extended his contract to stay at the Etihad Stadium, so it's clear that he wants to stay and make things right rather than leave the problems to be fixed by his successor. It would be a surprise, to say the least, if Guardiola was to call time on his City career when the club need him the most.

Having left his roles at Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past, a resignation or leaving at the end of his contract seem the most likely ways that Guardiola would leave the Etihad. But a resignation now - with a rebuild needed? It seems doubtful, to say the least.

Amie Wilson

The poor run of form has come out of nowhere, and it’s something that I certainly didn’t see lasting as long as it has. It shows that confidence can have a major impact on even the best of teams.

That’s something that Pep Guardiola and his backroom staff will have to work to install back into the squad over the next few weeks and months. While it’s a different challenge to ones he’s faced before, I can’t see Guardiola walking away from it.

You’re not considered one of, if not the, best manager in the world if you don’t overcome challenges, and I feel that’s something that Guardiola will want to do. Having put pen-to-paper on a new deal just a few weeks ago walking away now would feel like admitting defeat.

While retaining the title now may be too much of a task, leading City out of this run for a positive second half to the season should now be Guardiola’s aim.

Bruna Reis

When Pep Guardiola signed a new contract extension, I thought Man City would continue to be the team they have been for the past few seasons. Winning six Premier League titles in seven years is an incredible feat but when all of a sudden, their form drops, it comes as a huge shock.

However, Guardiola will not be someone who would admit defeat and leave the Etihad, only weeks after signing a new deal. If anything, he will be focussed on the challenge ahead and will be determined to turn this difficult period around.

Injuries have played a significant role in City’s current form, no doubt, but can Guardiola’s ability be questioned after everything he’s won for the club? I don’t think so. Calls for the Catalan to be sacked are simply ludicrous.

Man City have one of the best squads in the world and have broken records like no other team in the past. No doubt Guardiola is the right manager to take them forward and to win more titles.

It will simply be a matter of time for club to reverse their current situation. With many players yet to return from injury, retaining the title this season seems far-fetched given Liverpool’s sensational form. With that said, it will be important to get a positive run of results in the upcoming weeks.

Kieran Horn

Pep Guardiola has plenty of credit in the bank and will most definitely want to turn things around at Manchester City. For those exact reasons, I cannot see Guardiola leaving or being sacked in the not-too distant future.

Things can change very quickly in football and a big name coming available, a few more dismal defeats or even Guardiola making the tough decision to offer the club a fresh start, are all feasible. However, it is far more likely he stays on in the role and sees out his new contract signed just a month or so ago.

The 2024/25 season can be considered somewhat of a write off for City, unless they make some huge moves in January, and thus beginning to focus on the next campaign should be the priority. Get Rodri back available, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland back to their best and it will be a very different conversation in a few months time.

Will Guardiola be there to see it though ? For my money, I think he will.

Matthew Abbott

Guardiola said barely a week ago that he would not resign; "I will not do it; the club knows it." The manager spoke about wanting to fight, claiming that City would have to decide on his future rather than rely on him leaving.

Those comments came before the Manchester derby, albeit after a 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League, but having beat Nottingham Forest and twice coming from behind to draw at Crystal Palace. Since then, City have lost 2-1 twice, at home to United and away against Aston Villa.

Those games are unlikely to have changed anything for Guardiola, and resigning at the season's busiest time is unimaginable. City play twice in four days over Christmas, hosting Everton before visiting Leicester City.

They notably do not play a team currently in the top half until Chelsea come to the Etihad Stadium in late January. West Ham United and Salford City—in the FA Cup third round—at home, followed by Brentford and Ipswich Town away in the league, is a run of matches the City of previous seasons would relish.

Joshua Smith

The current crisis at City is completely unprecedented. Anything less and Guardiola's future wouldn't even be a topic of conversation.

He's recently signed a new contract, won a Treble that would have been unthinkable a matter of years ago and has an untouchable status at the Etihad. As Peter Crouch said during TNT's coverage of the match against Villa, 'the man's a genius'.

Guardiola is the best manager in the world and there are few names capable of taking over from and commanding the same authority as the former Barcelona boss has. If club chiefs could convince Zinedine Zidane or Carlo Ancelotti to come in then maybe, maybe, a decision is to be made, but I can't see it. Pep will stay and fight on.

While he is facing the biggest challenge of his managerial career at present, he has all of the tools to overcome it and come out of the other side even stronger