"Martin Keown: Aging Man City’s Instability Falters Under Guardiola’s Tactical Demands"

Okay, I need to shorten the given content to about 650 words and add some pictures. Let’s start by reading through the original article to understand its main points.

The article talks about Manchester City’s struggles this season, their potential failure to win any silverware, and the reasons behind their decline. Key points include Guardiola’s past successes, the team’s aging players, tactical issues, recent losses, and the upcoming match against Newcastle. There’s also mention of statistics like losing five games after leading and conceding twice in 10 minutes multiple times.

First, I need to condense this while keeping the core messages. Maybe the author’s main argument is that City’s aging squad can’t meet Guardiola’s tactical demands, leading to instability and poor results. Important details are the comparison to previous seasons, specific players like De Bruyne and Silva getting older, the impact of their high-pressing style, and the upcoming Newcastle game as a critical test.

Next, I’ll structure the shortened version. Start with an introduction about Guardiola’s legacy and the current season’s struggles. Then discuss the reasons: aging players, tactical inconsistencies, late goals conceded. Include stats where relevant. Mention the Real Madrid game as an example. Then talk about the changes from the Treble-winning season and the current imbalance. Finally, preview the Newcastle match and its importance for top-four chances.

Pictures: The original has three images: Guardiola’s trophies, City’s decline post-title, and Guardiola’s first season. Maybe use those same images but make sure they are placed appropriately in the text. Add captions as in the original or condensed versions.

Check word count as I go. Original is around 650 words already but with more details and repetition. Need to tighten paragraphs, combine points, maybe remove some examples or quotes that aren’t essential.

Also, remove the author’s bio, timestamps, and other metadata from the original. Focus on the content. Maybe keep the byline (Martin Keown). Ensure links are removed, as the user wants the rewritten text without external links except images.

Check for any redundant sections. For instance, the opening bullet points can be integrated into the first paragraphs. The part about City being out of competitions can be concise.

Now, start drafting the shortened version. Use subheadings if needed to break up sections, but the user didn’t specify that. Make sure the flow is logical from Guardiola’s past success to current problems, reasons, examples, and implications.

End with the importance of the Newcastle game and the need for City to regain form. Keep the conclusion focused on the top-four battle.

Ensure the images are placed near relevant text. For example, the image of Guardiola’s trophies after mentioning his 39 trophies. The image of the Treble season after discussing that phase.

Finally, proofread to ensure it’s around 650 words and maintains the key points without unnecessary details.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City Struggle to Keep Up with Tactical Demands as Top-Four Battle Looms
By Martin Keown

Pep Guardiola, a manager with 39 trophies across his illustrious career, faces an unprecedented challenge this season. Manchester City, once a dominant force under his guidance, are now fighting merely for a top-four finish. A year after securing a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title, City’s decline has left fans questioning whether this aging squad can still meet Guardiola’s exacting tactical standards.

A Season of Unraveling
City’s campaign has been marred by instability. After crashing out of the Champions League to Real Madrid in dramatic fashion and suffering early exits from the Carabao Cup, their Premier League title hopes have also faded. Guardiola’s side have led in five matches only to lose—a tally matching their combined total from the previous four seasons. Late goals have become a recurring nightmare, with City conceding twice within 10 minutes in nine of their 24 games this term.

The 4-3 defeat to Madrid exemplified their fragility. Despite moments of brilliance—like Erling Haaland’s sublime finish—