Trophyless to Treble? Man...

Manchester City found themselves in a difficult position one year ago, facing the prospect of a first trophyless season since 2017.

Fast forward a year, and Pep Guardiola has revitalized and strengthened a squad that now stands on the brink of becoming only the second English team to achieve a domestic treble.

The only other team to accomplish this? Guardiola’s City back in 2019.

This season, Pep’s squad has already claimed the Carabao Cup at Wembley, remains in contention for the Premier League title, and is poised to return to the national stadium on Saturday, May 16, marking their record fourth consecutive final appearance.

They earned their spot the hard way, fighting back with two late goals to overcome Championship challengers Southampton, thus avoiding a rather embarrassing loss.

City’s recent finals in this tournament have had their ups and downs; they triumphed over Manchester United in 2023 while claiming the ultimate Treble, but they suffered a defeat to their rivals the following year and faced a surprising loss to Crystal Palace last May.

When asked about the possibility of a treble, Guardiola commented, “It’s still far away. Prior to the final league match against Aston Villa, we will discuss the chances, but right now it’s very, very distant.

“It’s crucial that the players take three days off. I advised them to not think about football and just rest. The season is kicking off with five matches and an FA Cup final ahead. I believe the Premier League title is nearly out of reach, especially since we have dropped back to second place, but we will see how we finish.”

‘City excelling in key moments’

A year ago, Liverpool was dominating Tottenham to claim the Premier League title, while City trailed by 18 points during a season void of major silverware.

Guardiola noted that while his team secured the Community Shield, it was still seen as a disappointing season by his high standards.

City clinched a Champions League spot on the final day, which was a highlight but was followed by further frustration in the Club World Cup in America.

Key players like Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, and Ederson departed in the summer, leading to questions regarding the team’s rebuilding efforts with several younger players being brought in.

The initial doubts were exacerbated by a rocky start that included two defeats in their first three matches and a challenging beginning to 2026 with three straight draws. However, the influx of fresh talent seems to be hitting their stride just in time, eagerly seeking more silverware.

Having secured the Carabao Cup, City is favored to win the FA Cup, regardless of whether they face Chelsea or Leeds United. However, reclaiming the Premier League title poses a significant challenge.

City took the lead in the table based on goal difference after narrowly defeating Burnley on Wednesday, but after the Gunners claimed a victory over Newcastle, they find themselves back in second place, trailing Arsenal once again.

Guardiola has claimed six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, and two FA Cups during his almost decade-long tenure, and he remains in pursuit of winning them all in a single season, similar to what he achieved seven years ago.

The Spaniard remarked, “We have six games left – if we win, we’ll be in contention; if we lose, it’s over. People often ask about defining City: how many Champions League titles? How many trophies? To define the club, it’s about five Carabao Cup wins and four consecutive FA Cup final appearances.

“Every team can have an off day, suffer from injuries, and miss out. Yet, our consistency in the Premier League is evident. Here we are again in the final, and we have time to get ready with our supporters. After a demanding week mentally and physically, this period is more manageable.”

Former City defender Micah Richards commented on BBC One: “When it seemed like Manchester City was out of the competition, they found their way back, which is what champions do.

“I still see some weaknesses in City’s game during transitions, but at this stage in the season, it’s all about crucial moments, and they’re capitalizing on them.”

City thriving in all domestic competitions

City faced the distinct possibility of being on the losing end of a historical FA Cup semi-final upset against Championship team Southampton before late goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez salvaged the match.

This victory means Guardiola has achieved 45 wins in 53 matches in the competition, boasting an impressive 85% win rate – the highest for any manager in the history of the tournament.

Match-winner Gonzalez shared with BBC One: “This has been a pivotal week for us. We are still competing in the league and heading to another final. This will be my second FA Cup final, and I hope we can win it.”

Winger Doku, the first Belgian to score in an FA Cup semi-final since Eden Hazard in 2017, added: “Each time you reach the final, it feels surreal; the journey has been incredible. Getting to the final once more is just unbelievable.”

Guardiola remarked, “It’s always gratifying to be in contention with top teams. No team has reached four finals in a row [before].

“It’s extraordinary, and I hope we can build on this momentum.” Starting with a visit to Everton on Monday, May 4, City is confronted with a demanding schedule of six matches in just 21 days. This stretch will ultimately determine whether Guardiola’s squad concludes the season in triumph or disappointment.

Trophyless to Treble? Man…