Pep Guardiola is, without a doubt, one of the best managers the Premier League has ever seen.
With 18 trophies in nine years in Manchester, including six Premier League crowns, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and the Champions League, he has written himself into the very history of the top-flight on these shores.
But something has been amiss at City over the past year or so. They remain a formidable team, packed with world-class talent in every department.
Yet they're no longer the favourites to win the biggest and best titles every year. Last season, they didn't claim a single trophy - while also scraping into the Champions League with a third-placed finish.
Pep Guardiola has won every major trophy during his time at Man City but they're struggling ahead of Sunday's crunch clash with Man Utd
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As Manchester United prepare to visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, all eyes will be on that clash. Should Guardiola lose to Ruben Amorim's struggling side, having already overseen two defeats from his team's opening Premier League matches, then calls for the Spaniard to walk away will only grow in volume.
Dietmar Hamann, speaking exclusively to GB News via Grosvenor Casino, used to wear the sky blue of City in a very different era.
He has nothing but positive things to say about what Guardiola has achieved. The former midfielder does, however, believe that he won't ever scale the dizzying heights of old again.
"Pep has been there a long time. I thought last year was the time he’d leave the club," he said.
"He extended [his contract until the summer of 2027] when they had a bad run. I think it was to smooth people over and shut down uncertainty.
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"I don’t think he’ll win the Premier League or the Champions League again with Manchester City. I think they’re too far behind.
"When a new season starts, you need to light a fire, galvanise the team, galvanise the players. Jurgen Klopp did it in his last season with Liverpool.
"I don’t see that with Pep anymore. He’s got two years left on his contract; I’d be surprised if he’s still there then."
When Guardiola arrived at City, they were already starting to establish dominance.
They had won league titles under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini prior to his arrival. Therefore, when he was appointed, dominating the Champions League was the big dream of the City higher-ups.
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Dietmar Hamann spent three years at Man City and spoke exclusively to GB News
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Guardiola has won that tournament once during his nine years, despite spending millions every year. To some, that's a blotch on his record.
Hamann insists, however, that one Champions League title is enough. He continued: "You can’t plan the Champions League as it’s very hard to win.
"When you look back, that was the trophy he came to win, and in the end he did win it. He did what he was asked.
"We shouldn’t forget the money they’ve spent over the last 10 years. But I wouldn’t call him a failure.
"What’s even more impressive is what he did in the league, to amass nearly 100 points, or more, pretty much four or five seasons running. To keep that intensity every day for that long is exceptional.
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Pep Guardiola has won just one Champions League trophy during his time at Man City, despite spending millions and dominating the Premier League
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"That’s why now the light isn’t burning anymore. He’s kept that intensity high for so long, it’s impossible.
"He did it, but I think the bottle is empty now. That’s why I don’t think they’ll sack him, but his tenure probably comes to an end sooner rather than later."
With Guardiola starting to show some signs of creaking, it'll be fascinating to see who eventually comes in as his replacement.
There came a time when Amorim was seen as the frontrunner. The 40-year-old represents United instead, however, and has failed to lift the fallen giants from their post-Sir Alex Ferguson slumber.
Hamann, when pressed on who should replace Guardiola when the time comes for the Spaniard to step away, had only one name in mind.
Dietmar Hamann believes Vincent Kompany is the frontrunner to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City
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"Obviously Vincent Kompany’s in Munich now. He did well last season, winning the league.
"Kompany is probably one at the top of the list. He knows the club, he’s well respected, he was a wonderful captain. He’d be one of the favourites."