Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was in a reflective mood after Real Madrid dumped his team out of the 2024/25 Champions League in midweek.
Exiting the competition in the knockout round play-off was not part of the plan when City embarked on their league phase journey last September.
Guardiola’s side were the favourites to lift the trophy on the sportsbooks featured on https://irelandbettingsites.ie/ but have failed to make it to the last-16.
City have previously enjoyed massive success under Guardiola, with his silverware haul including six Premier League titles and the 2022/23 Champions League.
However, the wheels of fallen off the juggernaut this season. Heading into March, securing a top four finish and winning the FA Cup are the only remaining targets.
Guardiola has cut a frustrated figure this season, looking powerless to stop a slide that few people saw coming. He remains eager to turn things around.
"Nothing is eternal," Guardiola said. "We have been unbelievable and we have to try step by step to get better from today.
"We have been extraordinarily extraordinary in the past, but not anymore. We have 13 games left in the Premier League and have to be top four or five to try to be in the Champions League again."
City’s disappointing 6-3 aggregate defeat against Madrid highlighted why many people believe the current squad desperately needs overhauling.
Age has caught up with several key players, and they collectively face uncertain futures given the manner of City’s struggles this season.
There has been talk that Guardiola may not fancy the challenge of rebuilding the squad, despite him signing a contract extension until 2027 last November.
Revamping squads can be a tiring process – a point evidenced by Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to retire as Manchester United manager in 2013.
However, Ferguson had been in charge for 26-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and was 71-years-old. By contrast, Guardiola has only just celebrated his 54th birthday.
Guardiola has repeatedly insisted he wants to continue at the Etihad Stadium. Given the club’s transfer business during the winter window, it would be surprising if he quit.
Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez were signed for a combined £180 million and more new faces will arrive this summer.
Their acquisitions mark a notable change in transfer policy for the club, who normally wait until the end of the season before conducting meaningful business.
However, there is a feeling that City have changed tack to ensure they laid early foundations for a new era to begin next season.
When you add Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden, Savinho and Erling Braut Haaland to that quartet, City already have a formidable core at their disposal.
Gonzalez’s addition to the ranks is particularly noteworthy as he will unquestionably be the long-term replacement for star midfielder Rodri.
His absence through injury has contributed massively to City’s struggles this season, but Gonzalez has already shown he can replace him.
His presence in the squad will allow Guardiola to manage Rodri more carefully, which will ultimately provide long-term benefits to City.
Much like Ferguson repeatedly demonstrated at United, the process of rebuilding a squad requires some tough decisions to be made.
Some hugely popular players will leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, but they will be replaced by new talents who will drive the club to even greater heights.
Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, the fans won’t look back on it with too much fondness. It will be a different story in the 2025/26 campaign.