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Pep Guardiola has promised that Manchester City will rediscover their best form next season, after a turbulent campaign exposed an unexpected lack of hunger within his squad.
Currently third in the Premier League, City, who have won the last four English titles, are desperate to salvage a disappointing season by securing the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League through a top-five finish.
Guardiola’s side will face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, with the knowledge that defeat at Wembley would mean they finish without a major trophy for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
Despite the difficulties of this campaign, Guardiola is already focused on how to prevent such struggles in the future, believing he has identified the solution.
The City boss took encouragement from the passion his players displayed after Bernardo Silva’s crucial goal in their 2-1 win against Aston Villa on Tuesday, which kept their hopes of a top-five finish alive.
The celebration was a stark contrast to what Guardiola had observed earlier in the season, when he felt his players had taken their success for granted following six Premier League titles in the past seven years.
Guardiola is optimistic that by reigniting his players’ fire, City will be able to challenge champions-elect Liverpool more effectively next season.
“Next season will be better. Everybody learned the lesson. I think we will compete a bit better for the Premier League,” he added.
“I’m not saying we will win it, but we will be more like ourselves. I think the players understand. You have to fight to defend your club. I’m pretty sure we will be back again.”
Guardiola took encouragement from the way Rodri has been leading by example as he recovers from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since September.
“I love that,” Guardiola said. “The guy doesn’t play, and I allow him to be a manager.
“He will help the guys, and that’s the way we create a team. It’s something special.”
City are aiming to reach the FA Cup final for the third consecutive year, having won the competition in 2023 but lost last year’s final to Manchester United.
They will face a tough challenge from Nuno Espírito Santo’s Forest, who managed to defeat City 1-0 at the City Ground in March, maintaining their unlikely push for a Champions League place for the first time since 1980-81.
“It would be good to make the final, but we have a serious and tough rival. Nuno has been incredible,” Guardiola said.
This is the seventh consecutive season that City have reached the FA Cup semi-finals, but they have lifted the trophy only twice during Guardiola’s tenure.
Regardless of the outcome at Wembley, Guardiola admitted that the season had not met expectations.
“I’ve said many times that the season has not been good, regardless of whether we reach the final or qualify for the Champions League,” he reflected.
“Too many matches have not been good. We would avoid bigger damage to the club if we win the cup. But what will dictate the season is the Premier League.”
