Struggles in the Premier League

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has openly criticized his own efforts this season, labeling them as “really poor” amidst the team’s struggles to return to their previously dominant form. Current standings place the reigning champions in fifth position, a significant 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Disappointment in Europe

City’s performance in the Champions League has also been a letdown, with the team exiting the tournament in the round of 16 after suffering a 6-3 aggregate loss to Real Madrid.

Guardiola’s Self-Assessment

When asked to evaluate his contributions this season, Guardiola candidly responded, “This season? Really poor.” He acknowledged the urgency to improve the situation, saying, “My duty was to get out of the situation much better than I have done.”

Looking Ahead: FA Cup Aspirations

As Manchester City prepares to face Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarterfinals, the team seeks to secure the trophy for an eighth time. Guardiola noted that while winning the FA Cup and qualifying for UEFA Champions League would be significant achievements, they would not change the perception of this season’s overall disappointment.

“Of course, it would be nice to get to the final of the FA Cup, win it and [also to] qualify for the Champions League,” he stated. “That would be a great achievement, but the season has been poor and that’s not going to change.”

He concluded by emphasizing the need for improvement, stating, “Our standards and a lot of things have not been good, that is the reality… Hopefully, it will not happen next season.”