Last season could be the catalyst for Manchester City to return to their best | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City squad returned to pre-season training today. Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 24/25 season. Last season was the end of an era for an all-conquering City side. But as one era ended the building of another is well underway at Manchester City. In an interview with GQ Spain, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has explained that last season was one that his team needed to go through. After a prolonged era of success, eventually City’s run at the top had to end.

Manchester City has to go through the trials and tribulations of the 24/25 season.

Speaking with GQ Spain about what his team went through during the 24/25 season, Pep Guardiola explained that it was a process his team had to experience. After a prolonged era of success, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team finally fell from their perch. The City manager explained what had happened and how it could help establish Manchester City’s next era of dominance. Guardiola explained that his team’s consistent success contributed to last season’s fall: “I wouldn’t just look at last year, I’d go back over the last seven years. When you win six Premier Leagues, there comes a point when you drop. That’s human nature. Maybe we should’ve made more changes to the squad, but it’s easy to say that in hindsight.”

“It was a process we needed to go through, something that had to happen. It just took longer to come, and when it did, it hit deeper than we expected. Not deeper in the sense of a total disaster… we still made it to the FA Cup final and finished third, not twelfth. It wasn’t that bad. In perspective, we’ll probably see it wasn’t such a terrible season.”

“But yes, we did go many months without winning. I think it was 13 or 14 games without a win… it puts you in a place.”

“Speaking on behalf of Manchester City, I think what happened to us was actually very healthy. Because success can confuse you. It didn’t confuse us for many years, but this year, the players got injured a lot.”

“You ask yourself: ‘Why are they getting injured now when they didn’t before?’ Because the focus isn’t where it needs to be anymore. When your focus isn’t on doing what you’re supposed to do, you get injured more. And you think, ‘We’ll recover, we’ll come back.”

“But your opponent is waiting. Why? Because you’ve won a lot. And winning pisses off those who haven’t… So they wait for you. And that’s what happened. But I think it’ll be really good for the next five or ten years.”

Last season’s lessons should set Pep Guardiola’s side up for the future.

There was a host of lessons for Pep Guardiola, his team and the Manchester City hierarchy to take from last season. Perhaps they held on for one season too long with the experienced players. They also probably entered the 24/25 season with too small a squad. As Manchester City’s injury crisis hit, City’s squad depth was tested like never before. It was a situation that hadn’t hit Pep Guardiola’s squad previously. They had suffered injuries in seasons past, but never to the degree that they did last season. But the 24/25 season and the events that transpired are now behind Pep Guardiola and his team. But the circumstances and lessons that came from last season should set Manchester City up for next season and beyond.

Manchester City have been busy this summer. So far five players have arrived. They join the host of signings that City made during the January transfer window. The City squad has had an opportunity to rest after their FIFA Club World Cup efforts. That could prove to be invaluable this season. The failings of the 24/25 season have seen new coaches arrive at the club. Fresh ideas and new players do see City enter a new season full of optimism.

If Pep Guardiola’s side do return to their high standards during the 25/26 season the lessons of the 24/25 campaign could prove to be invaluable. Eventually Manchester City had to fall from their perch. Nothing lasts forever. But the road back to the top may come from last season. It may have been the season that City had to have to begin their next era of dominance.