Pep Guardiola believes fresh faces among Manchester City’s players and coaching staff will bring renewed energy next season, following a disappointing campaign that saw the club fail to win a major trophy and finish third in the Premier League amidst 13 points behind champions Liverpool.
Speaking to ESPN, Guardiola joked that his simple request for the transfer window is: “Give me good players.”
The City boss emphasized that top quality players can adapt to any system and thrive in high-pressure environments like Anfield or the Bernabéu. “The difference with top players is they go to these places and say, ‘I’m going to play my best,’” he said.
Guardiola stressed that adjustments are always necessary, win or lose. “Even when you win, you have to adjust. Day by day, game by game.”
City are already making moves to reshape the squad, with ESPN reporting a €55 million deal agreed with AC Milan for midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. Wolves full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri is also on the club’s radar.
Significant changes are expected in the backroom team as well. Assistant coaches Juanma Lillo and Íñigo Domínguez are set to depart, along with set-piece coach Carlos Vicens, who will take over at Portuguese club Braga. Former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders is reportedly set to join Guardiola’s staff.
While Guardiola admits he’ll miss his long-time colleagues, he sees the changes as positive. “I’m going to lose people I adore, but new staff and younger players bring energy,” he said. “It revitalizes me. You see it in their eyes they want to be here, they want to prove themselves.”
He added that additional titles alone don’t motivate him anymore: “One more Premier League or Champions League won’t change my life. But the energy new people bring every day, that’s what keeps me going.”
City players who are not involved in international duty are expected back in training on June 9. The team will fly to Florida on June 12 ahead of their Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC in Philadelphia on June 18. Any new signings completed before June 10 will be eligible to participate in the tournament.
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