Trophyless to Treble? Man City’s Quest for More History

Just a year ago, Manchester City were in disarray, facing their first trophyless campaign since 2017. Now, under Pep Guardiola, the team has transformed into a formidable force, with a genuine shot at becoming the second English side to claim a domestic treble. The last club to accomplish this feat was Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2019. The Spaniard’s squad has already secured the Carabao Cup at Wembley this term, remains in the Premier League title race, and is set to return to the national stadium on Saturday, 16 May after booking a record fourth consecutive final appearance.

City overcame a late deficit with two goals in the final minutes to defeat Championship high-flyers Southampton, avoiding a potential embarrassment. Their recent finals in this competition have been a mix of triumph and heartbreak—winning against Manchester United in 2023 en route to a treble, but then falling to their rivals the following year and suffering a shock loss to Crystal Palace last May. “Far from certain,” said Guardiola when questioned about the treble. “Before the final league match against Aston Villa, we’ll know if there’s a chance, but at the moment, it’s still a long way off. “Now it’s crucial for the players to have three days off. I told them not to focus on football and just rest. The season began with five games and an FA Cup final. I’d say the Premier League is almost out of reach, we’re back to second place, and we’ll see how we finish.”

“When it looked like Manchester City were down and out, they found a way to rise again. That’s the essence of champions.” – Micah Richards, former City defender on BBC One

The 2023 campaign started with uncertainty, as City trailed Liverpool by 18 points and failed to win a major trophy. Despite securing the Community Shield, Guardiola deemed the season a disappointment. A late qualification for the Champions League on the final day marked the high point, followed by setbacks in the Club World Cup. Key players like Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, and Ederson left in the summer, raising concerns about the team’s rebuild. Doubts grew with a shaky start—two early defeats and three consecutive draws in the new year—but the fresh talent has started to shine, delivering silverware and a renewed hunger for success.

City briefly topped the table on goals scored after a victory at Burnley, but they’re now second to Arsenal, chasing a repeat of the 2023 title race. Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, and two FA Cups during his near-decade tenure, aims to unify all three honors. He added: “Six games—win them, and we’ll be in the mix. Lose one, and it’s over. People ask how to define City: how many Champions Leagues? How many trophies? But to truly understand the club, look at five Carabao Cup wins and four consecutive FA Cup finals. “You can always have a tough day, injuries, or a bad afternoon. But in the Premier League, we’ve always been there. We’re in the final again, and we’ve got time to prepare with our fans. Now it’s easier because the last week was mentally and physically draining.”