Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s resurgence this season has been driven by a renewed mindset and restored energy, following a period last year when he felt something was “missing” around the club.
According to BBC Sport on Monday, speaking ahead of City’s New Year’s Day trip to Sunderland, Guardiola reflected on last season and rejected the idea that managers can instantly fix problems.
He said that while he has enjoyed success throughout his career, he has never publicly criticised his club, even when performances dipped.
“Managers are not magicians. Sometimes you need time. Last season, something was in the fog in Manchester, surrounding our training centre. We missed something.
“I could, I have big numbers in my career as a manager. How many [times]? Never, ever. It’s not about you or you or you, it was something… something was in the fog in Manchester, surrounding our training centre. We missed something,” he said
He added, “When we went out to Al Hilal, it wasn’t the fact we didn’t win but that we were so good there. It was then holidays so I said: ‘OK, go on holidays’ but I was annoyed because we were good there, good with the guys training, good with the competition.
“The place we were in, Boca Raton in front of the beach, everyone was happy. We made a lot of dinners, a lot of talks, [about] what we have to do next season. What we have to do. We wanted to extend it, just to live that.
“Energy, energy, energy. We lost it last season. We started to train better, compete better.
“It doesn’t mean you are going to win but that you are able to recognise the team. Now it is eight victories in a row. It is not easy but we compete in a way we do. We have to improve, absolutely, but this mindset is better.”
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