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BBC News1 min read
Trophyless to treble? Man City's quest for more history
TL;DR
Manchester City faced a trophyless season last year but have now transformed into contenders for a domestic treble. Pep Guardiola's leadership has revitalized the team, aiming to replicate their 2019 success.
Key points
- Manchester City faced a trophyless season last year
- Pep Guardiola has reshaped the team
- City aims for a domestic treble
- Only one other English team has achieved this feat
- Guardiola's City previously won a treble in 2019
Mentioned in this story
Manchester CityPep Guardiola
Figure caption,
FA Cup highlights: Manchester City v Southampton
Manchester City were in a state of turmoil this time last year, staring at a first trophyless season since 2017.
Just 12 months on, Pep Guardiola has reshaped and galvanised a side that now have a real chance of becoming just the second English team to claim a domestic treble of trophies.
The other side to achieve the feat? Guardiola's City in 2019.
The Spaniard's troops have already lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley this season, remain in the Premier League title race and are now set to return to the national stadium on Saturday, 16 May after sealing a record fourth consecutive final appearance.
They did it the hard way, coming from behind with two late goals to edge past Championship high-flyers Southampton and avoid an embarrassing defeat.
City's recent finals in this competition are mixed, beating Manchester United in 2023 en route to claiming the ultimate Treble, but losing to their rivals the following year and being shocked by Crystal Palace last May.
"Too far away," said Guardiola when asked about the possibility of a treble. "Before the final [league] game against Aston Villa, after we will tell you if there is a chance, but at the moment is it far, far, far away.
"Now it is important that the players have three days off. I told them not to think about football and just rest. The season starts with five games and an FA Cup final. I would say the Premier League is almost gone, we are back to second, we will see how we arrive [at the end]."
'City taking the big moments'
Figure caption,
'Unstoppable' Gonzalez strike gives Man City the lead against Southampton
This time last year, Liverpool were thrashing Tottenham to win the Premier League, and City were 18 points behind during a season in which they failed to win a major trophy.
Boss Guardiola had pointed out that his side did win the Community Shield but by his impeccable standards, the campaign had been a major disappointment.
City sealed qualification for the Champions League on the final day of the season, which proved to be high point, as further dismay followed in the Club World Cup in America.
Established stars such as Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish and Ederson were allowed to leave in the summer and there were questions marks over the rebuild with a cohort of younger players brought in.
Doubts only amplified with a sticky start featuring two defeats in their opening three games this season and then starting 2026 with three consecutive draws, but the new blood appears to be peaking at the right time and are hungry for more silverware.
Q&A
What challenges did Manchester City face last year?
Manchester City was in turmoil and at risk of a trophyless season for the first time since 2017.
Who is the manager of Manchester City?
Pep Guardiola is the manager of Manchester City, credited with reshaping the team.
What is the significance of a domestic treble in English football?
A domestic treble refers to winning three major trophies in one season, a feat achieved by only one other English team, which was Guardiola's City in 2019.
Which trophies is Manchester City aiming to win this season?
Manchester City is aiming to win the FA Cup, Premier League, and League Cup to achieve a domestic treble.
