Man City have now lost eight of their last 11 games(Image: Getty Images)

Man City lodge complaint with BBC over coverage of the struggling Premier League champions

Manchester City have reportedly expressed their frustration after being left disappointed over the local coverage they received from BBC Radio Manchester ahead of facing Manchester United

by · The Mirror

Manchester City have lodged a complaint with the BBC, it has been reported.

The Premier League champions have taken umbrage with the coverage they have received from their local radio station. City officials are said to have been left surprised when BBC Radio Manchester did not send a dedicated reporter to Pep Guardiola's press conference ahead of the derby match against Manchester United.

The station owns the rights for City matches and the club are usually covered by a journalist that primarily focuses on the side. Mail Online claim that reporter has been diverted elsewhere in recent times - with City left perplexed at the decision with no dedicated journalist from the broadcaster.

The Citizens are now said to have contacted Radio Manchester to make their disappointment at the situation clear. The lack of a City reporter is claimed to have been the 'final straw', with the club holding the belief that no other Premier League side has been subjected to the same treatment.

Sunday's derby match saw a commentator representative of each Manchester side. The station's belief is said to be that City are being covered as much as usual.

Radio Manchester holds a rights deal for Manchester United in addition to City. Guardiola's side are undergoing their most difficult run of form since the Catalan coach's arrival in 2016. City have lost eight times in their last 12 matches.

"[The owners] know when the situation is bad and we start to lose games, then it is not sustainable," said Guardiola follwing the weekend. "Then I would not be here next month or in the next two months.

Pep Guardiola looks dejected after Man Utd's comeback at the Etihad( Image: Getty Images)

"The results dictate that - and this is the reality. We cannot eternally lose games. Maybe because what we have done in the past [people will think I wouldn't be sacked] but we are judged daily as managers.

"In one bad season, you can be out. The club knows that I will not do it [resign]. The club would have to do it. I want to be close to the players. I want to be beside them. We've lost a lot of games - more than we have in two seasons."

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