Pep Guardiola, the Spanish manager of Manchester City, welcomed Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for his final match with the club during a Premier League game against Fulham in London on May 25, 2025. Over the years, Manchester City has consistently secured at least one trophy each season since the 2016-2017 campaign, making their recent disappointments in the Premier League and Champions League particularly striking departures from tradition.
This season has seen a dramatic decline for the wealthy club, as they faced elimination in the Champions League qualifiers against Real Madrid and ended up in third place in the Premier League, trailing champions Liverpool by 13 points. Guardiola’s leadership has come under scrutiny, as the team struggled with injuries to key players like Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, and Ruben Dias, alongside the aging core of De Bruyne and Kyle Walker.
As the FIFA Club World Cup approaches, starting with a match against Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia, City aims to use this opportunity to pivot towards rebuilding their squad. Guardiola emphasized the seriousness of the competition, stating that the entire world would be watching and committing to a fight for victory.
Despite the recent turmoil, Sheikh Mansour, the club’s owner from Abu Dhabi, assured the continuity of Guardiola’s leadership by extending his contract until 2027 during the sporting crisis, indicating confidence in the long-term project. City has made significant investments in the squad, with new players like goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, defender Rayan Aït-Nouri, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, and forward Rayan Cherki arriving for a total of nearly €117 million, complementing previous expenditures of €202 million during the winter transfer window.
Cherki, who was acquired from Lyon for €42 million, is considered a rising star and the top playmaker in last season’s Ligue 1. At just 21 years old, he has already made waves in international football, having starred in recent matches for France. Expressing his aspirations, Cherki reaffirmed his commitment to winning every competition with City.
Rodri’s anticipated return from injury could significantly impact the team’s dynamics, as he was a key player in their previous Champions League triumph against Inter Milan. His return, coupled with the new signings, brings a sense of hope and renewed energy to Manchester City as they embark on this new chapter.
This context provides an optimistic outlook for City fans and highlights the club’s resilience in the face of adversity while rebuilding for future successes.