Pep Guardiola admits difficult truth on Manchester City’s 2024/25 season | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has opened up on the challenges Manchester City faced in his most difficult season in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

It’s been a campaign like none previously for Guardiola in Manchester, with his City side struggling uncharacteristically and failing to mount a challenge for the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and losing in the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak recently admitted the club were wrong to not have acted as aggressively in last summer’s transfer window as they should have, which will only fuel the fire in their belly in get it right this time round.

Kevin De Bruyne was told in early April he was not part of the club’s plans for the 2025-26 campaign and the 33-year-old has agreed a two-year move to Napoli, who are set to announce the signing of the Belgium international.

City are set to shift their focus onto the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States and Al Mubarak has declared the Blues are in it to win it as they look to kick-start their preparations for the new season.

Guardiola has pointed to mounting injuries and inconsistency in performances to explain Manchester City’s slump this term, with several key players losing form and the squad collectively failing to meet the incredible standards they’ve set for themselves over the years under Guardiola.

In an interview with SPORT, Guardiola had the chance to discuss the trials and tribulations of Manchester City’s recent campaign, which the Catalan has deemed to be the most difficult year he has faced throughout his managerial career.

“The season has been difficult, a tough year. We struggled a lot in the Champions League, we weren’t solid or consistent,” the Catalan said.

“We’ve achieved the most important title, which is qualification for the Champions League; it’s more important in England than some titles.

“It’s becoming more complicated, as seven, eight, or nine teams can qualify (for the UEFA Champions League). We finished on a high note and it’s now time for the Club World Cup, where we’re in good shape, with the idea of ​​going through the rounds and seeing.”

Guardiola will be heavily backed in the summer transfer window as incoming sporting director Hugo Viana conducts an audit of the first-team and eyes four to five first-team signings to get Manchester City back challenging on all fronts next season.

Manchester City are closing in on the signings of Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri to begin their summer overhaul and a mass exodus will see several current first-team players exit the club in the coming months.