The 2024-25 season could well be the final one for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Legendary coach Guardiola has enjoyed eight trophy-laden years at the Etihad since arriving in 2016, winning six Premier League titles as well as the Champions League and countless other trophies.
To City fans and indeed the rest of the competing top-flight clubs, it has for a long time felt like a dynasty that can’t be beaten and will last forever.
But as they prepare to bring home a fifth conesucitve Premier League title, speculation is rife that it could be the final campaign Guardiola oversees.
So, are the defending champions on course for another title or is their dominance set to wane amid the threat of an improving Arsenal? We take a look at how they are shaping up ahead of their Premier League opener against Chelsea.
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Final swansong?
After leading City to a record fourth consecutive Premier League title on the final game of last season, Guardiola gave his clearest indication yet that he is edging closer to the exit door in East Manchester.
“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying,” the 53-year-old said. “We have talked with the club and my feeling is that I want to stay now.
“I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But after eight or nine years, we will see.”
Having achieved all there is to achieve during his time with the club, his status at City’s and arguably the Premier League’s greatest manager is certainly not in doubt, nor it is surprising that he fancies a new challenge.
Arsenal threat
The ever-improving threat of Arsenal means City will once again face a huge challenge in their efforts to land the title.
Former assistant Mikel Arteta has run his former boss mightily close in the last two seasons, with the 2023-24 campaign decided by a single point.
They have continued to strengthen this summer, bolstering what was already the league’s best defence with Italy international Riccardo Califiori with more incomings likely before the window shuts.
On whether he is concerned of the growing threat of the North Londoners, Guardiola has said: “Of course. I have been concerned for many years how good they are because every year they are getting better.
“I see Arsenal playing at the same level as last season, I saw their game against Leverkusen. They are on fire. Every year it looks like they are more and more difficult.
“United will be back, they bought players. Everyone wants the crown we have had for four years, it’s simple as that. It’s how we defend it. We will see.”
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Mass exodus?
Ahead of another gruelling campaign with, other than new arrival Savinho from Troyes, the same group of players who have achieved so much together, you wonder what else there is to achieve.
There is a case for plenty of influential stars for it also being their final season – particularly if the great tactician leaves.
Kevin De Bruyne was strongly linked with the exit door this summer and is out of contract next summer, when he will turn 34.
Kyle Walker, 34, has two years on his deal, Bernardo Silva has seemingly fancied a new challenge for several seasons and Ederson is another linked with the Saudi exit door.
Whether having a large group of players planning for their next step will have a negative or galvanising effect remains to be seen but there is undoubtedly the feeling that it is a group who may be coming to the end of its cycle.
The threat of the 115 charges City are currently being investigated for also looms large, and it is anyone’s guess as to whether that is factoring into whether Guardiola decides to stay on or not.
Underestimate them at your peril
Guardiola has suggested his City players are a tad undercooked ahead of the new campaign after a disjointed pre-season, but it still feels foolish to underestimate their capabilities.
Many have done so in the past and just as many have looked foolish, with City a ruthless machine that knows how to get over the line even when it looks in real doubt.
That has proved too much for Arsenal despite their growing influence, while it is also a characteristic that may have Jurgen Klopp cursing that he ended his nine-year Liverpool reign with only one title.
From Pep’s future to the 115 charges, City may be starting the Premier League season with more questions hanging over them than ever before – but do not question their burning desire to remain as England’s top dog.
