Gallery: Manchester City’s first training session of the 2025/26 season | OneFootball

Manchester City officially kicked off their preparations for the 2025/26 season on Monday as Pep Guardiola and his squad returned to the City Football Academy.

Warm sunshine and a light breeze welcomed players back to the pitches at their Manchester headquarters, where the day’s programme included a blend of gym-based conditioning, muscle activation stretches, and early tactical work through small-sided games and ball-focused drills.

Jack Grealish and James McAtee were among those involved, despite ongoing uncertainty over their respective futures at the Etihad Stadium, with the likes of Everton and Nottingham Forest believed to be interested in the pair.

The goalkeeping group also drew attention, with Ederson and Stefan Ortega Moreno both taking part amid Manchester City’s looming reshuffle in the position, as the club moves closer to completing the return of James Trafford from Burnley.

Manager Pep Guardiola was also spotted in high spirits throughout the activities, flanked by a refreshed coaching set-up including new assistants in Pepijn Lijnders, James French, and Kolo Toure – each seen engaging closely with players during the session.

The first gallery of the brand new campaign captures some of the best images from Monday’s training session, as Manchester City begin their relatively short stretch of preparations ahead of the pre-season friendly against Palermo and opening weekend clash away to Wolves.