2025 was the year that one era ended at Manchester City and it gave birth to what comes next | OneFootball

2025 will be looked back upon as a year of transition for Manchester City. The first half of 2025 saw Pep Guardiola’s team claw their way to Champions League qualification and also lose the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace. At the end of the 24/25 season, a host of club legends departed the club, and a new wave of players and leaders has taken their place. Although City haven’t claimed silverware throughout 2025, the year may well be looked back upon as the one that gave birth to Manchester City’s next era of success.

Manchester City began 2025 in a difficult position but salvaged something from the 24/25 season.

2025 began with Manchester City in need of a refresh. It was clear as 2025 began that the iteration of Pep Guardiola’s side that began this calendar year was on its last legs. The well was dry as City legends legs had nothing left to give. Players such as Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, and Kevin De Bruyne had reached their physical limit. On top of that, injuries had ravaged Pep Guardiola’s squad. City hit the 2025 January transfer window with gusto. Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Nico, and Omar Marmoush all joined the club to reinforce the City squad. Each player showed flashes of what they could add to Manchester City’s play. In the case of Omar Marmoush, his goals were crucial in helping City ultimately secure Champions League football for the 25/26 season.

There are too many individual moments and matches to go over that defined the first half of 2025. In the end, Pep Guardiola tweaked his lineup to make his team hard to beat. That tactical shift worked as City secured third place in the Premier League and made the FA Cup final. From the mire that surrounded Pep Guardiola’s side to begin 2025, something was salvaged for City from a difficult situation.

What had to happen finally occurred as club legends said goodbye.

At the end of the 24/25 season, a host of club legends departed Manchester City. Kevin De Bruyne didn’t have his contract renewed at the end of last season. De Bruyne received a farewell from the Manchester City fans that was fit for a player of his status. It was sad to see De Bruyne leave City but at least he got the farewell he deserved. Ederson left Manchester City for Fenerbahce late in last summer’s transfer window. Unfortunately, Ederson didn’t get his own farewell at the Etihad. Given how integral he had been to Manchester City’s success Ederson did deserve his moment in front of the City faithful.

Kyle Walker left Manchester City on loan to join AC Milan last January. Walker’s loan move was a sad ending to his City career. Kyle Walker was key in Manchester City’s success but the way his City career ultimately ended was sad to watch unfold. The England international returned to City after his loan spell at AC Milan before moving to Burnley last summer. The circumstances that Walker left in as club captain did leave a sour taste in the mouth. It doesn’t diminish Walker’s achievements at City but perhaps he could have handled his departure, and loss of pace better to leave City on better terms.

Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji left City on loan for season long loans at Everton and Inter Milan. Grealish played a key role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season in 22/23. From that point onwards, Grealish didn’t ever reach that level again and it was sad to see him go out on loan. Although it was for the best. Manuel Akanji gave everything to the cause at City, and he played a key role in Manchester City’s success during his spell at the Etihad.

Lastly, Ilkay Gundogan left City for Galatasaray. Gundogan returned to the club for the 24/25 season from Barcelona. Last season didn’t go as Gundogan would’ve liked but he left City for the second time with his reputation intact as a club legend.

At the end of 2025, hope is high for what Pep Guardiola’s side could achieve.

As club legends and important players left City a host of new signings arrived. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Sverre Nypan were all signed by City last summer. Cherki, Donnarumma, and Tijjani Reijnders have all provided a lift to Pep Guardiola’s side. Trafford and Ait-Nouri haven’t established themselves in the first team at City. Trafford has Gianluigi Donnarumma in his way. Ait-Nouri was hit by injury and the strong form of Nico O’Reilly at left-back has seen Ait-Nouri yet to make an impact at City. Sverre Nypan is a signing for the future and is on loan at Middlesbrough this season.

As the 24/25 season ended and before the 25/26 season began, Manchester City participated in the FIFA Club World Cup. Although City’s tournament ended early at the hands of Al-Hilal, the time spent in the United States by Pep Guardiola’s squad has been key in their revival. Baby steps were taken by the new-look City squad and those steps have become strides as the 25/26 season has progressed.

Although Manchester City began the 25/26 season with two defeats in their first three Premier League matches, this City side has now grown. They sit second in the Premier League, are well-placed in the Champions League, and have made the Carabao Cup semi-final stage. Pep Guardiola’s side isn’t at its best, there is still improvement to come.

Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Nico, Nico O’Reilly, Matheus Nunes, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and Gianluigi Donnarumma have established themselves as the next iteration of Pep Guardiola’s side. Rodri is yet to return properly after a serious ACL injury. Hope is high for what Manchester City could achieve entering 2026.

Final thoughts.

2025 has been a year of transition at Manchester City. After so much success across seven seasons, that was bound to happen eventually. During the first half of 2025 City did what they had to do. But the seeds planted at the end of the 24/25 season or in the first half of 2025 have begun to sprout.

Entering 2026 it is clear to see that Manchester City has turned the corner. 2025 is ultimately the year the club had to have. It was sad at times. It was also frustrating on other occasions. As 2025 ends, hope is high for 2026 and beyond at Manchester City.