Is Pep’s playing ‘philosophy’ the problem at Man City? (1:12)Steve Nicol discusses why Pep Guardiola’s playing tactics might be the problem at Manchester City after loosing to Aston Villa. (1:12)
Manchester City’s grim performance in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday was reflected in their chosen attire for the occasion at Villa Park.
Pep Guardiola’s side wore their 2025-26 third kit — a grotty grey design inspired, perhaps fittingly, by the Manchester rain — for the first time this season. It may well be the last.
In theory, a burgundy-and-gold third kit could and perhaps should have been an instant hit for City, especially as the colours have been synonymous with the club since the 1950s. Unfortunately, the all-over graphics (inspired by the billowing sails of the ship found on the club crest) were just too large and clumsily implemented, compromising the look of the entire kit.
Otherwise known as the “Definitely Maybe kit,” City’s fourth alternate jersey from last year was an abstract design based on the cover art of the debut album from Oasis. The shirt is essentially a “colour map” of the photo that appears on the front of the 1994 LP, showing the band lounging around in the front room of then-guitarist Bonehead’s house in Manchester. The result was a weird melange of yellow, turquoise and pink that some loved and some loathed.
Forest green and covered in digi triangles, City’s ultra hi-tech new fourth kit also features a special NFC chip hidden in the club crest that allows fans to scan it with their phones in order to access a cache of EA Sports FC26 in-game content. The interactive element is obviously a silly gimmick, but the shirt itself is quite smart.
City traipsed right back to the Victorian era in search of inspiration for their new away kit, which is based on the very first kit worn by the club in 1884, when they were originally formed as St. Mark’s West Gorton FC — a church team based in the suburb of Manchester where the modern-day Etihad Stadium now stands. The black and silver design is undeniably simplistic, but there’s enough contemporary style to win us over.
A special edition released for the FIFA Club World Cup, City’s cult classic “sash” kit was given a contemporary reworking by New York streetwear label KidSuper. The two-tone sash was last seen on City’s 2009-10 third strip but the graphic of the updated version (inspired by City fans performing their renowned “Poznan” dance) ended up being just the right side of quirky.
Is Pep’s playing ‘philosophy’ the problem at Man City? (1:12)Steve Nicol discusses why Pep Guardiola’s playing tactics might be the problem at Manchester City after loosing to Aston Villa. (1:12)
Steve Nicol discusses why Pep Guardiola’s playing tactics might be the problem at Manchester City after loosing to Aston Villa. (1:12)
As well as putting most fans off their matchday pies, the sight of the jersey with a drizzle-print graphic and neon green trim also meant that City have now worn no fewer than nine different outfield kits supplied by manufacturer Puma in this calendar year; five in the latter half of the 2024-25 season and a further four already this campaign.
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