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Pep Guardiola cancelled Christmas for Manchester City’s first-team stars as they were reportedly banned from attending the club’s festive party.
City boss Guardiola is keen to avoid another festive slump like the one his side suffered last year which threatened to derail their treble hopes.
The club have started a tradition in recent years of holding an annual Christmas party for all employees, including the first-team squad.
However, after last year celebrations, City were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home toCrystal Palace, then lost toLeicester four days later.
Guardiola feared a late night at the festive do had contributed to the poor results, which left City with an uphill task to master before they could successfully defend their Premier League title.
********************** Pep Guardiola reportedly banned first-team players from attending Manchester City’s Christmas party(Image: REUTERS)************************
And with City currently points behind league leaders Liverpool , Guardiola took action to avoid a similar slump by banning players from
this year bash, according to Goal
.
The party took place at a city-center venue on Thursday – just three days before City head to the Emirates to face Arsenal.
It is crucial City return to winning form after they lost to Manchester Unitedin last weekend’s Manchester derby.
City players attended Raheem Sterling’s lavish th birthday last Sunday, the day after the defeat to United.
**************
********************** (Last weekend’s defeat to Manchester United left City) **************************************************************** points behind Liverpool
Guardiola’s side face a busy December and January, including (games in a five-week period.)
Meanwhile, City are reportedly eyeing Mauricio Pochettino as a possible replacement for Guardiola if the manager decides to leave City this summer.
Guardiolalast year signed an extension to his contract, keeping him at City until 2021.
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