Manchester City has struggled this season, failing to retain their Premier League title, getting knocked out in the Champions League play-offs, and now facing the possibility of missing out on qualification for next season’s European competition via their domestic league.

Pep Guardiola is confronting challenges he is unaccustomed to, marking this as the most challenging season of his career. Regardless of how the season concludes—whether or not the “Citizens” secure the FA Cup (they will face Crystal Palace in the final) and potentially progress in the Champions League—this season will not end on a positive note.

Uncertainty looms over the Etihad Stadium, raising questions about the type of team Guardiola will assemble in the summer, especially with expected changes on the horizon. Additionally, there are doubts about how much longer Pep’s coaching career will last after a year like this.

– “This year has been incredibly tough for me, both as a coach and as a person. I acknowledge making some poor decisions, but I believe I have learned a great deal from this experience,” Guardiola shared in an interview with ESPN.

What transpired with City, transitioning from being the most dominant team in the world to appearing “slow,” uninspired, and stagnant?

– “There isn’t just one cause for what we are experiencing. Many factors are at play, and I believe we have identified them all; we need to ensure something similar doesn’t happen again. For years, we have pushed ourselves to the limit and accomplished remarkable feats; this season, we simply weren’t capable of that,” Guardiola explained.

The Catalan manager has a contract with City until 2027. While player changes are anticipated, the coaching staff remains intact, meaning Guardiola will certainly continue for at least the next two seasons, and then…

– “When my contract concludes, I will undoubtedly take a break. I’m unsure how long that will be. It’s possible I might retire from coaching, but I know I will take time off,” Guardiola stated.

Guardiola’s coaching journey began in 2007 with Barcelona B, and within a year, he assumed the head position for the Barcelona first team, culminating in three La Liga titles, two Champions League victories, and two Copa del Rey titles. He is credited with creating and leading one of the greatest Barcelona teams in history before departing in July 2012. A year later, he started with Bayern Munich and has remained active since, coaching City since the summer of 2016.

– “We can’t live by the opinions of others, as they tend to forget you after you’re gone. However, upon reflecting on my career, I feel a sense of pride knowing that the supporters of Barça, Bayern, and City have enjoyed cheering for my teams,” Guardiola concluded.

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