Guardiola’s Reflection on a Tumultuous Season
In a candid interview, Pep Guardiola reflected on the tumultuous season experienced by his team, Manchester City, suggesting that had he been at the helm of either Barcelona or Real Madrid during such difficult times, he would likely have been dismissed.
This year proved to be one of the most challenging for the squad, as they finished third in the Premier League, trailing behind Liverpool by a significant margin of 13 points. It marked the worst performance in Guardiola’s tenure since his initial season in 2024-25.
Challenges Faced Throughout the Season
Furthermore, City faced early exits from both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, and their hopes for success in the FA Cup were dashed when they met a surprising defeat against Crystal Palace in the final. The period between late October and mid-December was particularly hard, with the team suffering nine losses in just 13 matches.
Despite this rough patch, the club opted to extend Guardiola’s contract in November, demonstrating a level of commitment that he noted would be uncommon among top Spanish clubs.
Guardiola on Patience in Management
“If this were Barça or Madrid, I wouldn’t be coaching in October, November or December. But here, it wasn’t even a question. You have to have a little more patience.”
He cited the case of Carlo Ancelotti, who recently left Real Madrid for the Brazilian national team after a successful campaign, highlighting how swift the decisions can be in La Liga.
The Future of Manchester City
Following Ancelotti’s exit, Real Madrid appointed Xabi Alonso as his successor after a year that failed to meet expectations in both La Liga and the Champions League. Meanwhile, Manchester City is looking to rebound next season, having already made significant moves in the transfer market by acquiring players such as Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Tijjani Reijnders.
Both clubs are set to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup starting Saturday.
