This season has been a success for Manchester City despite a bitter end | OneFootball

Manchester City will finish second in the Premier League this season after their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium handed Arsenal an unassailable lead at the top of the table. Now that the disappointment of City’s title challenge falling short has subsided somewhat, the 2025/26 season has still been a success for Pep Guardiola’s side. City completed a domestic cup double as they won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Also, after a trying 2024/25 season, City look well placed for next season and beyond.

Pep Guardiola has put the building blocks in place for this City side.

While Manchester City ultimately fell short of their goal of winning the Premier League this season, there is still plenty to take from their 2025/26 campaign. City have now gone unbeaten in the league for 15 matches. However, it has been immaturity and a lack of experience that have seen Pep Guardiola’s side finish second in the table. Too often, City dropped points from winning positions, especially in 2026. Draws against Chelsea, Brighton, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Everton after Manchester City had taken the lead ultimately cost Guardiola’s side. Those results showed that this City team still lacks maturity and experience when contending for a title. They should be better for the experience after this season.

What has stood out throughout this season is the team spirit Pep Guardiola has instilled in this City side. It has been evident throughout the campaign. Team spirit is a vital component of any successful side, and it defined Manchester City’s previous era of success. City appear to have rediscovered that quality under Guardiola with this new-look squad. That spirit will carry City a long way, especially when you factor in the expected growth of players such as Rayan Cherki, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O’Reilly, and others still developing.

When you add the experience of being involved in a title race to the spirit within this City squad, Manchester City will undoubtedly be one of the favourites for the Premier League title next season. Looking at the Premier League title race odds for next season, you can already see City among the frontrunners.

By winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Manchester City are on the right track.

One hurdle that Pep Guardiola’s side overcame this season was winning their first major trophy together. Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final in March was a major moment in this team’s development. Nico O’Reilly’s brace secured City the trophy at Wembley and highlighted the progress this young squad has made. Often, winning the first trophy together is the hardest step for any team. Pep Guardiola’s squad has now achieved that. They backed it up by winning the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea last weekend. Claiming two major trophies is a significant achievement and one of the biggest reasons why the 2025/26 season should still be viewed as a success for Manchester City.

Final thoughts.

Although the 2025/26 season is not yet finished, it can already be viewed as a successful campaign for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup while showing major signs of growth throughout the season. City also kept the title race alive until the final week of the campaign, which further demonstrated that this team is moving in the right direction.

What is clear, although not guaranteed, is that Manchester City are building something strong once again. If City continue progressing next season and beyond, the 2025/26 campaign may eventually be viewed as a key stage in the development of Guardiola’s new-look side. Despite the disappointing ending, this has still been a very good season for Manchester City.