Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted this season a the toughest in his 16-year managerial career.
Guardiola has experienced some success in at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.
However after four successive Premier League title wins, City’s form declined from late October onwards.
Man City still have a shot at finishing this season’s campaign with a top-five spot and the FA Cup, and may have an additional shot at silverware at the Club World Cup.
Guardiola weighing his challenges this season as City’s manager, said,“It’s been the most difficult, that’s for sure.”
The 54-year old Spaniard reflected further, “It’s been more demanding — much more. When you don’t win it’s more demanding emotionally and (in terms of) preparing and the moods and everything.
“It’s been more difficult than the previous seasons when we played for the titles.”
One crucial factor to City’s decline is injuries, especially Rodri’s which made the club’s midfielder weak. A number of other players injuries worsened the squad’s depth and competitive strength.
“We had a lot of injuries, we didn’t have the energy. We tried most of the time but we were not able to do it,” he said.
But Guardiola, more critical of self, acknowledges the decline amid the challenges and his zeal to recover.
“But, even with that, I would say, it could be worse. I was not good enough to find a way but we didn’t give up.
“We’re still fighting to qualify for the Champions League — that is a big, big prize — and the FA Cup, ” he said.
