I'm so proud of how we bounced back from adversity - Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says the 2024/25 season will go down as one of the best he’s overseen because of the way the team fought back from adversity to finish third in the Premier League and therefore once again qualify for the Champions League.

Match Preview

Sunderland v City: Kick-off time, team news and TV information

Guardiola has led City to 18 major trophies during his near 10 years in charge, including six Premier League titles in eight seasons.

The manager has given rise to Centurions, Fourmidables, Treble Winners, Champions of the World and History Makers during an era of unprecedented success.

But, with New Year a time for reflection, the boss pinpointed our last campaign as one of his standouts after his team showed mental and physical fortitude to recover from an injury-laden term and flourish when it mattered most.

“Last season, what we did and overcame was one of the best seasons that we have had as a team. All the guys that were there and the staff, backroom staff, it was arguably one of the best we have had.

“It’s how you overcome the problems that define the seasons.

“And from the perspective now, every time when I reflect what happened last season, I am more proud than ever of what we have done as a club and how we handled the bad, bad situations, how the hierarchy, Khaldoon, the CEO, how incredible the messages of support of ‘let’s go, let’s go, let’s go’. Just in this incredible club, [it] can happen.”

Contemplating 2025 even further, Guardiola paid tribute to Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez who arrived in the last winter window, stressing those transfers were the catalyst for the Blues securing safe passage into Europe’s elite competition for this campaign.

“I never expect to go to the transfer window in January but without the players we signed last year, we would not play the Champions League this season,” he added.

“Basically we didn’t have players for a long, long time. We didn’t have players.

“Then the moment with the new players and three quarters of the season the players come back, we were the best team in the Premier League for the last 10, 15 games of last season.”

City v Brighton tickets on general sale

We welcome an entertaining Brighton side to the Etihad at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 7 January.

And with tickets now on general sale, you could be there to see it!

Fans can now claim three tickets each, with adults from £30 and concessions as low as £15.

Or make it a night to remember with hospitality packages starting from just £180 per person and a wide range of experiences available to suit your budget.

Kick off the new year in style!