Graeme Souness has questioned if the Manchester City managerial announcement has had a negative impact on the players.

City recently confirmed that Pep Guardiola will replace the Chilean at season's end, prompting Sky Sports expert Souness to query whether or not it affected the players in last weekend's top-of-the-table clash with Leicester City.

The 2012 and 2014 Premier League champions were beaten 3-1 by the Foxes at home and the former Liverpool star feels a result like that may restrict their chances of adding another premiership to their increasing tally.

"I tipped Man City at the start of the season but they're making me nervous now," Souness wrote for Sky as City prepare to take on second-placed Tottenham on Sunday.

"I thought they had the strongest squad at the start, but they've shown an inconsistency that I didn't think they were capable of.

"Against Leicester last week, City's players were lacklustre and showed no real passion.

"City were weak and insipid, and Pep Guardiola might be wondering if they'll be in the Champions League next year.

"They have to get their act together pretty quickly because the alarm bells must be ringing at City. Manchester United are only six points away, and that's not much with 13 games to go.

"You wonder if the Manuel Pellegrini announcement has affected morale. There will be some sad to see him go, and others pleased. That's how a dressing room can be. City, the manager and the supporters will be hoping that was a wake-up call.

"You can't write this group off too early and they're still only six points off the top, but it's certainly a warning. Tottenham now becomes a big, big match for them."