The 2024/25 campaign was a tough one for Manchester City and their manager, Pep Guardiola.
City have experienced unmatched success since the arrival of the legendary coach, but the current campaign saw the Manchester club finish the season trophyless, while also needing to qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the season.
Rodri’s injury at the start of the season had a big impact on this, however, the main reason was Man City’s decision to rest on their laurels last summer by not strengthening their squad significantly.
The majority of Man City’s squad is up for sale this summer as Guardiola plans to make big changes, and Michael Owen has doubts as the former Liverpool star believes the legendary coach now needs to do something he has never done before.
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Michael Owen questions Pep Guardiola’s Man City rebuild
Guardiola hopes to bring in four or five new faces this summer, with the Man City midfield being his biggest concern ahead of the new season.
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Owen seems to have doubts over the Spaniard’s ability to successfully rebuild the Manchester club, as it is something the 54-year-old has never had to do before in his career.
“Already you look now, and there are four or five players where you think, those aren’t the players who won all those trophies,” Owen said on The Kelly & Wrighty Show.
“There’s already been a big change, and it’s going to be even more change over the summer. They’re all 30 plus, Grealish is going to go. It’s been a poor season.
“I think the league table flatters them, Liverpool got two points from their last 12, totally took their foot off it.
“In theory, they’re probably 20-odd points behind. It’s too much of a gap to make up. It’s a rebuild job, and Pep Guardiola has never done that before.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
“People say how good he is, and he is, he’s incredible, but he’s never really had to see through a total rebuild.”
Liverpool expect Man City to bounce back next season as Man City have big plans, with Guardiola targeting some impressive stars.
How Pep Guardiola plans to rebuild Man City
Guardiola’s main concern heading into the 2025/26 campaign is his midfield, with the Man City boss keen to add AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders to his squad, while Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White is also an option.
Man City are on the lookout for a goalkeeper to replace Ederson, with Porto’s Diogo Costa one of the options to fill in between the sticks at the Etihad Stadium.
Both full-back roles are positions Guardiola would like to add to this summer, as that would also allow the City boss to play Josko Gvardiol as a centre-back, where he has been exceptional in recent weeks.
A new winger may also be on the cards, should Jack Grealish leave Man City, as the wide areas have been a concern for Guardiola this season.
Man City have a big job on their hands this summer to close the gap to Liverpool, and should they do it, Guardiola’s legacy will become even greater than it already is.