For what seems like decades the same managerial names are called upon time and time again to rescue clubs whose Premier League status hangs by a thread.
They are experts in ‘getting the job done.’ Sam Allardyce, David Moyes, Alan Pardew, Tony Pulis, Mark Hughes, Roy Hodgson. The list is as dull as it is long.
This is no criticism of those managers who have undoubtedly made a name for themselves by doing exactly what they were tasked with.
But something changed this season that could spell the end for the status quo.
Before the 2017/18 season teams at the top struggled against these sides, recording narrow victories that would become the defining ‘title winning mentality of those that can win at Stoke on a wet Tuesday night.’
Not any longer. Pep Guardiola has unpicked the whole ethos of this tactic resulting in those teams being battered by City.
The results speak for themselves:
Watford (a) 6-0, Palace (h) 5-0, Stoke (h) 7-2, Burnley (h) 3-0, Swansea (a) 4-0, Bournemouth (h) 4-0, WBA (h) 3-0, Leicester (h) 5-1, Swansea (h) 5-0, West Ham (a) 4-1.
Previously these sides would stick 10 men behind the ball and most would come away with a narrow defeat or even a point or more. That is no longer the case.
No matter how many players teams put behind the ball City found a way through.
At St James’ Park in December, Rafa Benitez took this to new levels, as his side literally refused to go past the half way line much to the annoyance and disbelief of the fans and pundits (particularly Gary Neville).
"Ever since the Newcastle game I knew we wouldn't stay unbeaten. Rafa's tactics rattled our side and a defeat has been inevitable ever since"
#NUFC
The only shot on goal they registered in the opening 45 minutes came from Jonjo Shelvey’s speculative effort straight from kick off.
Such was the instruction from Benitez to his players that even when Kyle Walker misplaced a pass to Nicolas Otamendi inside his own half, Joselu, who could easily have won the ball an been in on goal, stood watching in the centre circle. City won 1-0.
Only Palace and Huddersfield can claim to have taken anything from City this season and both draws came not by way of being defensive but by daring to press City high up the pitch.
Jurgen Klopp is the only manager who can claim to have found a way past City, yet even he experienced a humbling 5-0 defeat to the Champions this campaign.
And yet it is not City’s dominance of the league this season that could spell change. It is the manner of the victories and a growing clamour from fans for more entertaining football.
Never before has the managerial merry-go-round seen such disappointment from fans as this year. The usual names were rolled out as half a dozen clubs tried to avoid the drop.
While some managed it, the fans of those clubs have made their feelings known in the demand for more heads to roll.
Sam Allardyce took Everton to eighth place. It isn’t good enough. The Toffees faithful have made their feelings known about the style of play.
Alan Pardew was a disastrous appointment for West Brom, the only pleasure for Baggies fans was the attacking play that nearly saw them stay up under favourite son, Darren Moore.
David Moyes has already left West Ham (who are always vocal about their style of play and the mythical West Ham way), and changes are already underway been made at relegated Stoke and Swansea.
Former Premier League champions Leicester are growing increasingly frustrated at Claude Puel’s tactics and Mark Hughes, despite keeping Southampton up, is still facing calls for his job from some quarters.
Even the excellent achievements of Rafael Benitez have brought about questions. No side finishing tenth has ever had a lower points tally in the Premier League (44).
And while the origins of this unrest may not lie at the door of Pep Guardiola, it is the Catalan’s answer to such negative tactics that may hasten the demise of such managers.
City have broken all records this year and done so with a swagger never seen before. Fans of other clubs are realistic and certainly are not demanding something similar, but it is City’s play that may have driven them to ask for more than just 40 points come what may.
Of course there are a number of ways to win a game of football and Pep Guardiola is the first to admit that when questioned, He has his philosophy, other have theirs. That is football.
But when we have seen a plethora of young German coaches bringing different methods to England along with other young managerial talents such as Marco Silva and Slaviša Jokanović, fans are now demanding more than ever before.
Guardiola has answered all his critics this season with many on these shores desperate for him to fail. He didn’t.
And his legacy on football in England could yet stretch further than just Manchester City. It could see a complete change of thought for the game in England. There are already whispers on the wind.
