“Next season will be better” – Pep Guardiola drops hint on Manchester City future as quadruple chances plummet | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that his side are not the finished article as they progress a rebuild under director of football Hugo Viana.

The Blues’ hopes of a fifth Premier League title in six seasons suffered a major blow in midweek as moments of brilliance from Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson salvaged a 2-2 draw for relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.

City’s winning streak in all competitions has come to a halt at six games as a result, with Arsenal taking full advantage by extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points by winning away at Brighton and Hove Albion.

It is worth noting however, that Guardiola and co retain a game in hand over the Gunners, whom they will face at the Etihad Stadium in a potential title decider in April – should City remain in the conversation of the title until then.

Can Manchester City regroup and go again this weekend?

Guardiola has been there and done it enough times to know all too well the possible cost of Wednesday night’s draw against Nottingham Forest, particularly given that City squandered a one goal lead twice in the second-half.

The Blues switch their attention to the FA Cup this weekend as they come up against Newcastle United for the fifth time this season in the fifth round of the competition at St. James’ Park on Saturday night.

On how his side have reacted to the disappointing result against Vitor Pereira’s side, Guardiola said: “Many times in the last two years, two seasons, last season especially and this season as well, reacting well,” in a press conference on Friday afternoon.

“We have the ability to forget quick. It’s another competition, I would say, it’s a final. It’s being in the FA Cup or not being. Of course they were a little bit disappointed but we did in everything much, much more than them, but that game is like that. We could not win. Expected goals 2.15, 0.7 chances conceded and we drew. But that is football.”

How does Pep Guardiola assess Manchester City’s silverware chances this season?

Guardiola and his coaching staff will have known entering the season that they are a nascent stage of their transition under Viana, who replaced long-serving director of football Txiki Begiristain last summer and has since spearheaded a significant rejig of the first-team squad.

Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi have starred since their respective January arrivals from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, though Manchester City must have a perfect Premier League run between now and May to stand any chance of usurping Arsenal at this stage.

Speaking candidly on City’s title prospects this season, Guardiola added: “We have to defend better in some departments, and we have to still, still, still – we are not a complete team to compete, to be solid. That is the reality.

“But we are in the process for many changes to, if we can learn quicker – that still there’s nothing lost – we can quicker to arrive in the last month with chances. But I’m pretty sure next season will be better, next season will be better. I don’t have doubts about that.”

Will Pep Guardiola stay on as Manchester City manager next season?

There exists a strong belief in Premier League circles that Guardiola could leave Manchester City at the end of the season – a year before his current deal is set to expire.

The 55-year-old has repeatedly brushed off talk of a premature exit from the Etihad Stadium but traditionally reliable quarters of the English media have maintained that Manchester City bosses are working behind the scenes to recruit a potent replacement for Guardiola.

Enzo Maresca, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi are believed to be leading Manchester City’s candidate shortlist to replace their greatest-ever manager, who club insiders do not expect to sign another contract extension beyond 2027.

A decision on whether Guardiola honours the final year of his contract is expected to be finalised come the end of the season, with Manchester City still in the running for an unprecedented quadruple.