<p>The 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Club World Cup was the bitter ending to a season that was already hard to justify. With this result, Manchester City bows out early from the tournament, capping what is undoubtedly <strong>Pep Guardiola’s worst campaign since he began his managerial career in 2007</strong>. In his nine years in charge of the Mancunian side, he had never experienced such a collapse.</p>
<h2><br></h2>
<figure data-asset-id="1c2cdcd0-4479-446f-9bc7-d7040006942a" data-image-id="1c2cdcd0-4479-446f-9bc7-d7040006942a"><img src="https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/31dbcbc6-da4c-0033-328a-d7621d0fa726/204a7d44-d723-41ff-8485-bc374e921926/Plantilla.png" data-asset-id="1c2cdcd0-4479-446f-9bc7-d7040006942a" data-image-id="1c2cdcd0-4479-446f-9bc7-d7040006942a" alt="
Pep Guardiola during Manchester City's match against Al-Hilal for the round of 16 of the Club World Cup."></figure>
<h2><strong>A season to forget</strong></h2>
<p>From the start of the Premier League season, City looked vulnerable. Even though they finished third, their title hopes faded far too early, leaving a constant feeling of frustration. They reached the FA Cup final but were stunned by a determined Crystal Palace, who snatched the trophy from them. In the EFL Cup, they were knocked out by Tottenham—proving they couldn't dominate a single domestic competition.</p>
<p>The <strong>Champions League</strong>, Guardiola's long-standing obsession since arriving in England, was no different. City were eliminated in the Round of 32 by Real Madrid, once again haunted by their European struggles. And as if that wasn’t enough, their <strong>Club World Cup exit against Al-Hilal</strong> sealed a titleless season for the Citizens—something rarely seen at the Etihad in recent years.</p>
<object type="application/kenticocloud" data-type="item" data-rel="link" data-codename="_video__todos_los_goles_del_manchester_city_vs_al__4bdbfc6"></object>
<h2><strong>Millions that weren’t enough</strong></h2>
<p>The spending didn’t help either. Last summer, the club invested over <strong>€125 million</strong> on signings like <strong>Tijjani Reijnders (€55M)</strong>, <strong>Rayan Aït-Nouri (€36.8M)</strong> and <strong>Rayan Cherki (€36.5M)</strong>. None of them proved decisive when it mattered most, and the ship eventually sank, revealing that the issues run deeper than just the names on the pitch.</p>
<object type="application/kenticocloud" data-type="item" data-rel="component" data-codename="n3a9a2c09_c51d_0123_7067_207ad8e803ad"></object>
<h2><strong>Is this the end of the Guardiola era?</strong></h2>
<p>Just last season, <strong>Guardiola extended his contract until 2027</strong>, but the mood within the <strong>City Football Group</strong> is far from optimistic. The lack of silverware, early exits and growing fatigue have raised serious questions about his future.</p>
<p><strong>For the first time, Pep could be facing a premature dismissal.</strong> The warning signs are stacking up, and his credit is running low. A glorious era may be coming to an end at Manchester City.</p>

Support

Follow Us

Is Pep Guardiola’s Cycle Over? Manchester City’s Elimination to Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup Fuels Speculation

Is it the end of an era or just a misstep? The Spanish manager is enduring the worst season of his coaching career, and his future at City has never looked so uncertain.

Millions that weren’t enough

Is this the end of the Guardiola era?

FIFA Club World Cup

Support

Follow Us