Replacement 'decided', Man City crisis - new Pep Guardiola resignation message sent

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.

"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