Pep Guardiola has labeled the current campaign his most challenging in 16 years of management.
Despite a glittering career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, he’s seen his team’s Premier League title defense falter and their Champions League exit come early.
After four successive league wins, City’s form dipped from late October. While they can still secure a top-five spot and the FA Cup, with a Club World Cup to come, Guardiola insists this won’t change his overall view.
“It’s been the most difficult, that’s for sure,” said the 54-year-old, whose side lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League. “More demanding emotionally and in preparing… more difficult than previous seasons when we played for titles.”
Injuries, especially to Rodri, and dips in form have hurt City. Guardiola accepted his share of the blame: “I didn’t find the way to let them feel comfortable and winning the games.”
Ahead of their game against Southampton, Guardiola admitted standards had slipped.
“But, even with that… it could be worse. I was not good enough to find a way but we didn’t give up,” he stated. “We’re still fighting for the Champions League – a big prize – and the FA Cup.”
