Pep Guardiola has delivered a startling verdict on Manchester City's 2025 campaign, insisting that a season which ended without a single trophy ranks among the finest achievements of his tenure. The Catalan manager's perspective hinges on the prolonged absence of his midfield talisman, Rodri, who missed the majority of the last 18 months following knee surgery.
A Season Defined by Absence and Resilience
City entered the season aiming for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title. However, their ambitions were immediately handicapped by the serious injury to Rodri, a player Guardiola describes as "the best player in the world" and the pivotal figure in their previous Treble and four-in-a-row title successes. The team's resilience was tested to the limit, enduring a damaging mid-season slump where they managed just one victory in nine games, effectively ending their title defence.
The disappointment extended to other competitions, most notably a defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley. The outcome meant that 2025 was only the second calendar year in Guardiola's illustrious managerial career that he finished without any silverware.
Guardiola's Pragmatic Pride in Performance
Despite the barren trophy cabinet, Guardiola's focus has shifted to the collective effort required to navigate such a significant setback. He pointed to the team's underlying statistics, noting that City still ended the year with the best record in the Premier League for wins, goal difference, and points per game. For the manager, this demonstrated the strength of character within his squad and staff.
"At the end of last season, what we have done, overcome the problems that we had, it was one of the best seasons we have had as a team," Guardiola stated. "The guys who were there, the staff and background staff last season was arguably one of the best that we had. Because it’s how you overcome the problems."
He emphasised a broader philosophy, adding: "We cannot judge the season on whether you win the title or not, there are more important things in life than that... In this perspective, now every time when I reflect on what happened last season, I’m more proud than ever about what we have done as a club."
Looking Ahead with Rodri's Return
With Rodri now on the brink of a first-team return, Guardiola has reason for renewed optimism. City have already put last term's struggles behind them, re-establishing themselves as genuine title contenders. A victory in their game in hand against Sunderland on New Year's Day would move them to within two points of league leaders Arsenal, setting up another tense duel with Mikel Arteta's side.
Guardiola, who could secure a remarkable seventh Premier League crown in a decade if successful, will be hoping a fit-again Rodri can provide the final piece needed to bridge that gap and return City to their trophy-winning ways.
