Manchester City will be very keen to put the 2024/25 season behind them.
The campaign was a tough one for all involved as the Premier League giants fell well below expectations, as City finished the season trophyless for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s first year in charge back in 2016.
Guardiola cast doubt over his future with the Manchester club recently as the Spaniard said he was ready for a break once his current contract expires in 2027, and many Man City fans even called for their coach to go this summer following their defeat in the FA Cup final this month to Crystal Palace.
The expectation is that the 54-year-old will remain as the manager of Man City next season, with John Obi Mikel now stating that it would be “silly” for the Premier League giants to let the legendary coach go.
Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
John Obi Mikel wants Pep Guardiola to stay at Man City
ESPN FC pundit, Steve Nicol, recently stated that Pep Guardiola may be looking for a way out at Man City after his recent quit comments, but the Manchester club have now been told by Mikel that they cannot allow the legendary coach to leave the Etihad Stadium.
“Those are players that has been with him for so many years. Yes, if there’s a problem, that does happen, of course. He’s been there now for nine, 10 years, Pep,” Mikel said on the latest episode of The Obi One Podcast.
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“So, for me, I think sometimes, yes, messages do get old. You know, the players need a new voice. They need someone new to listen to, someone with a fresh idea, someone with a different idea.
“But I still think Pep, you’re talking about the best manager in the world. He’s the best manager in the world. Why do you want to get rid of him?
“But I think that’s what the club are trying to do. They know it’s silly to get rid of Pep. What you need to do is to bring in fresh players that are going to listen to his ideas.”
Guardiola plans to bring in four to five new players this summer, and the legendary coach will be hoping that revamping his squad will help Man City close the gap to Liverpool next season.
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
How Pep Guardiola plans to rebuild Man City
At the heart of Guardiola’s rebuild at Man City is the refreshing of his midfield, with the Manchester club closing in on AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, while the Premier League side have also started talks to sign Lyon’s Rayan Cherki.
In addition to this, City are keen to add a new left-back to their ranks, with Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso seemingly Man City’s top target for some time now. A right-back is also in the plans of Guardiola.
The Manchester club will also need to replace Ederson this summer, with the Brazilian expected to leave, and it was reported this week that Man City are still interested in Porto’s Diogo Costa.
Having seen new faces come through the door at the Etihad Stadium in January, the above additions would complete Man City’s refresh after many years of success, but only time will tell if it will be good enough to return them to the top of the Premier League.