Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City are close to recapturing their dominant form, insisting the current squad is already “extraordinary” despite a challenging season.
‘We Are Close’: Guardiola Reveals Belief in Man City’s Long-Term Project
The manager remains confident about the future regardless of whether his side lifts the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
City face Arsenal in the final and remain active in the FA Cup and Premier League title race. For Guardiola, these achievements signal a team ready to rise again.
“I have the feeling that in many things it is just underneath. It will flourish,” Guardiola said.
“In many aspects we are an extraordinary team. Otherwise we wouldn’t be in the top eight of the Champions League, second in the Premier League, final of the Carabao Cup and quarter-finals of the FA Cup.”
City have set historic benchmarks under Guardiola, including the Centurions season, a domestic treble, and the 2023 Champions League triumph.
However, last season’s dip prompted a major squad overhaul, with the club investing £440 million across the last three transfer windows.
Recent weeks have highlighted unfinished work. Disappointment in the Champions League against Real Madrid and frustrating draws with Nottingham Forest and West Ham allowed Arsenal to extend their league lead. Yet Guardiola draws a sharp contrast with last year’s struggles.
“Last season, the season was not good,” he explained.
“Even if we had won against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, the season had not been good.
This season, most of the time we have been a team that is not perfect but is good.”
While City no longer produce the relentless winning streaks of their peak, Guardiola sees a foundation for future success. He acknowledges inconsistencies but believes time will unlock this group’s full potential.
“In other things we need a little bit more time for the players to realise what we need to be strong teams,” he added.
“In the past, when we won a lot of times, I always knew what we need. Next season, for many things, I think we need a little bit more time.”
With silverware still within reach this term, Guardiola’s focus remains firmly on building a side capable of sustained dominance once again.
