AFTER eight glorious years of stability, Manchester City now embark on an uncertain 12 months.
And Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat by neighbors United was a reminder that this glittering and memorable era will not last forever.
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Pep Guardiola is set to enter his final season as Manchester City manager Credit: Getty
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His team were beaten by Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup finalCredit: Alamy
Around this time in 2025, City will be preparing for the highly lucrative Fifa Club World Cup in the USA.
However, it is very likely that he will also be preparing for forgiveness from manager Pep Guardiola, who has brought so much success to the east side of Manchester.
Meanwhile, a verdict could be reached on 115 allegations of financial irregularities brought against the club by Premier League chiefs.
It is thought the hearing could start later this year, but it is likely to take several months to reach a conclusion.
City continue to deny any wrongdoing and are confident that an independent commission will clear them.
But football finance expert Stefan Borson told SunSport last year that if they were found guilty, “all hell would break loose”.
He believes relegation would be inevitable for the Prem winners if the most serious allegations are proven.
It remains a big ‘if’ as the Premier League’s lawyers have a lot of work to do to ensure that such serious allegations remain valid.
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But they will continue to cast a cloud over the Etihad and everything City achieve until this case is resolved.
Guardiola always insists he won’t leave his current job until their name is cleared – and coincidentally his contract expires next summer.
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JACK GREALISH is sweating over a place at Euro 2024 after a nightmare season.
The £100m star celebrated Manchester City’s four-in-a-row title success at a bus parade yesterday.
But he is now battling with Tottenham’s James Maddison to secure a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon look certain after excellent seasons at their respective clubs — while Bukayo Saka is a guaranteed place.
But Grealish, 28, has struggled and his lack of fight for his club will be a major concern for the Three Lions boss.
The former Aston Villa captain has featured in just one of City’s last five games.
That was a ten-minute run in a 5-1 win over Wolves this month.
He wasn’t dropped at Wembley as the under-par champions desperately looked for a way back from Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat at rivals Manchester United.
City boss Pep Guardiola explained his decision afterwards by admitting that the forward had “struggled” this season.
He challenged him to return to his form from the end of the 2022-2023 season, when he helped the club secure a historic treble.
Guardiola said: “He will be back. He has struggled this season — Jeremy Doku has taken an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in recent games.
“But Jack will be back to last season’s level – I’m pretty sure.”
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When he signed his latest extension in the autumn of 2022 – just as the World Cup began – there was a feeling at the club that it would be his last.
That remains the case as there is still no indication from the former Barcelona coach that he wants to go beyond nine years.
Obviously, if he decided he wanted to get a clean ten – or even more – then his bosses would be delighted.
After winning a record fourth consecutive title last week, Guardiola admitted he is not sure what else he can achieve in England.
Then again, he felt the same way after leading them to the Treble 12 months earlier and finally winning that elusive Champions League trophy.
President Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who has a close relationship with Guardiola, has no doubt that he will prepare another charm offensive.
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Guardiola has a close relationship with City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak Credit: Getty
However, those close to the Catalan believe that he will opt out of the 2024-25 season. and the following World Club Championship.
That leaves City with a slight concern as they plan to refresh their squad this summer.
Most of all, who can possibly replace the man who has won six of the last eight Prem titles — not to mention nine other pieces of silverware?
Also, will new players want to sign when they know it could just be a Guardiola year and then a new manager from August 2025?
Several current stars now weighing up their futures at the Etihad may also have a sense of uncertainty about what the long-term future holds.
Long-serving midfield pair Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva have been linked with departures, as have goalkeepers Ederson and Stefan Ortega.
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Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne could leave City this summerCredit: Getty
Skipper Kyle Walker and midfielder Matheus Nunes — whose move from Wolves has so far failed to materialize — both have interest from Saudi Arabia and, like most clubs, City may have to cash in if they give Pep a hefty transfer kitty.
They will do something if they move players like Joao Cancelo, Kalvin Phillips, Yan Couto and James McAtee.
There will be a new midfielder on the list, especially if Silva or De Bruyne leave. Although their move for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta looks dead after he was hit with FA charges, which he denies.
Newcastle star Bruni Guimaraes is admired but his £100m price tag is likely to be an issue.
Guardiola has been assured by director of football Txiki Begiristain that most of the current squad, which has served City so well in recent years, wants to stay at the Etihad.
Despite this, Pep has shown the door to several club legends during his reign and will not be afraid to do so again.
When asked about his summer plans, he said: “I don’t know now. I know some players have to make a decision whether to stay with us and some players could come.
“My sporting director says everything is fine for next year, but at the moment I don’t know what could happen.”
Despite the poor finish to the season, Guardiola is delighted to win another Prem crown.
He said: “I’m really pleased with the team, how they’ve performed all season.
“I couldn’t say otherwise. It was nice to be in this final — unfortunately we lose, but look at what we did in Prem and the Champions League.
“People say that every season we have to win triples and doubles. We are good, but not that good.
“We tried [on Saturday], we were there until the end. We lost the game because in the final a lot can happen in moments — mistakes, decisions, and that can affect the game.”
Guardiola went on holiday yesterday with a lot to think about.
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