Pep Guardiola has admitted that this season has been the most challenging of his 16-year managerial career, following Manchester City’s faltering Premier League title defense and their early exit from the Champions League.
The 54-year-old Spaniard, widely regarded as one of the finest coaches of his generation, has enjoyed immense success at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. However, after winning four consecutive Premier League titles, City’s form took a sharp downturn from late October onwards.
While the team still has a chance to finish in the top five and claim the FA Cup, Guardiola’s assessment of the season remains unchanged, regardless of how it ends.
“This has definitely been the toughest season, no doubt,” Guardiola said. “It’s been far more demanding, both emotionally and in terms of preparation. When you don’t win, everything becomes harder – the moods, the mental and physical energy. It’s been more challenging than previous seasons when we were competing for titles.”
Injuries, particularly to key midfielder Rodri, have played a significant role in City’s decline, while several key players have struggled with form. However, Guardiola was quick to take responsibility for the team’s struggles.
“We had injuries, and we didn’t have the energy,” he admitted. “We tried, but we just couldn’t make it happen. I wasn’t able to find the right way to get the best out of the players and help them win.”
Guardiola acknowledged that City’s usual high standards had slipped this season, but emphasized that the team had not given up despite the setbacks.
“Even with all the difficulties, I would say it could have been worse. I wasn’t good enough to find a solution, but we’ve kept fighting,” he said. “We’re still pushing for a Champions League spot, which is a huge prize, and we’re still in the FA Cup.”
City, currently in third place, will look to bounce back when they face already relegated Southampton on Saturday, hoping to finish the season on a positive note despite the setbacks.
