Manchester City enters the new season with questions surrounding their financial charges and squad changes. Can Pep Guardiola revive his title-winning team or is this the beginning of the end?
Manchester City head into the new season under a cloud of uncertainty, facing lingering financial charges and questions over the integration of their new signings. After dominating English football for four consecutive Premier League titles, Pep Guardiola’s side experienced a bitterly disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing third, failing to win any major trophies, and suffering a shock Club World Cup exit to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the last-16.
With expectations high, Guardiola and City’s supporters are eager to see if they can bounce back and reclaim their Premier League dominance. Despite the setbacks, the Spaniard remains optimistic about his squad’s potential: “We are ready… We had a short pre-season but a really good one, and we are ready to go, to enjoy the good moments and bounce back as soon as possible.”
However, the uncertainty surrounding the club’s financial situation looms large, with the verdict of 115 charges against City still pending. If found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, the consequences could be severe, including potential points deductions or even relegation.
Financial Charges and Uncertainty
City’s financial troubles have been a persistent issue. The club has been awaiting a verdict from an independent commission on their charges since February 2023. With no official announcement yet, the verdict has been delayed repeatedly. Guardiola, who was initially hopeful for a decision by early 2025, now faces the reality of going another season without clarity. The club’s stance remains one of denial, and the Premier League chief has refused to speculate on the timeline.
Despite the uncertainty, City has carried on with business as usual. Star Erling Haaland has committed his future to the club with a new contract until 2034, while the club secured a record-breaking kit deal with Puma worth £100m per season.
Squad Revamp
City has heavily invested in reshaping its squad. Over £400m has been spent on new signings since January. However, not all of Guardiola’s signings from January have been successful. While Omar Marmoush impressed with eight goals, including a hat-trick against Newcastle, others like Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis have struggled to make an impact.
In the summer, City’s transfer strategy focused on addressing problem areas. The club strengthened at left-back with Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves and bolstered the midfield with Tijjani Reijnders from AZ Alkmaar. However, the departure of club legends Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish, along with the injury of Rodri, leaves gaps in the team that may take time to fill.
French winger Rayan Cherki has arrived to offer creativity in the absence of Grealish, and James Trafford joins as a backup goalkeeper to Ederson, who enters the final year of his contract.
Defensive Concerns
Despite the influx of attacking talent, City’s main issue remains at the back. The team struggled defensively last season, particularly in the absence of Rodri, and Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk were left exposed in key moments. The addition of a new centre-back, such as Marc Guehi, is widely seen as more crucial than another attacking signing like Alexander Isak, whose addition would only add to City’s already crowded forward line.
The Guardiola Question: Fire or Fizzle?
Guardiola’s future is under increasing scrutiny. Last season marked only the second time in his career that his team finished outside the top two in 15 years of managing at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Man City. With his contract running until 2027, many are wondering whether this season will be his last, as he has hinted at taking a break from management after his time at City.
Dietmar Hamann, former Liverpool and City midfielder, cast doubt on Guardiola’s ability to rekindle his magic. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “When a season starts, you’ve got to light a fire in a team, with the fans, and make people believe. And I’m not sure he’s got that fire any more.”
Guillem Balague, a Spanish football expert, also questioned whether Guardiola still has the same drive: “Is he excited because it’s his last season, or is it because he really feels he has a team in his hands which he can mould and create a new Manchester City?”
While Bernardo Silva, who has been handed the captaincy, is expected to lead the side and reignite the team’s passion, the pressure is on Guardiola to prove that he can still bring the best out of his new-look squad.
A New Era?
The 2025-26 season will be a critical one for Guardiola and Manchester City. With the squad heavily refreshed and new faces in key positions, Guardiola will have to find the perfect balance between attack and defense. Despite their struggles last season, City remains one of the most dangerous sides in Europe, and it would be foolish to write them off too soon.
As the new campaign begins, the burning question remains: can Pep Guardiola reignite his City team and make them contenders once again, or is this the beginning of the end for his time at the Etihad?
