Guardiola makes big career admission after most ‘difficult’ season he’s ever had

Pep Guardiola admits this season has been a struggle as the Manchester City boss oversaw a dramatic slump in form in both the Premier League and Champions League

Pep Guardiola has admitted this season at Manchester City has been the most difficult for him over two decades as a manager.

City failed to mount a title challenge this term, having won a record four successive Premier League titles, and did not even make the Champions League last-16. Although City have reached the FA Cup final and are up to third in the table, closer to securing a Champions League spot, Guardiola said this has been his most demanding season.

Against a backdrop of injuries to key players, City imploded and went on a disastrous run of one win in 13 games in all competitions between October 30 and December 26. City fell away in the title race, lost out to Real Madrid in a play-off to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League, amid suggestions Guardiola and his wife had separated.

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Asked if this had been the toughest campaign he has experienced as a manager, Guardiola said: It’s been the most difficult, that’s for sure. It’s been more demanding [than previous seasons], yeah. Much more.

“When you don’t win, it’s more demanding, emotionally, preparing, with the moods and everything. So it’s been more difficult. It’s been more difficult than the previous seasons, when we played for the titles.

“We didn’t win one game for many months and we were unable to win a lot of games. It’s demanding when you don’t win. It’s a business and you have to win games, otherwise you can’t be here.

“We represent the fans, we represent the club and you have to do your job as best as possible. This season, we didn’t do that. We were at the highest standard and we dropped.

“Even with that, I would say it could be worse. We were not good, I was not good, but we didn’t give up. That’s why we’re here, still fighting to qualify for the Champions League.

“That is a big, big prize and we’re in the final of the FA Cup. So we were still there, I was there and the players were there. Not our best, but we didn’t give up.”

Guardiola’s claim this has been his hardest season as a manager is telling, given he endured a draining time in his first managerial job at boyhood club Barcelona, despite big success.

After winning the Treble in his first season, Guardiola’s toxic rivalry with Jose Mourinho – then at Barca’s arch rivals Real Madrid – saw him quit after four years, citing mental exhaustion.

The toll of the Barca job saw Guardiola take a year out of football, before a successful three-year spell at Bayern Munich and then on to City, where he has won 18 major trophies.

Despite that remarkable success, Guardiola said he still feels the need to prove himself after such a poor season by his high standards.

“Every time we have to prove ourselves,” said Guardiola. “When I listen to players who say ‘I don’t have anything to prove’ they are completely wrong.

“They should retire. I have had to prove myself again and again, and I’m disappointed in myself when it’s not going well.”

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