We have to be realistic about where Manchester City stands in the grand scheme of world football. As successful as we’ve been in recent years, we’re still not perceived on the same historical level as clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, or Real Madrid. These are institutions that carry decades of tradition, heritage, and global recognition. That inevitably makes it harder for City to sign the so-called “elite” players because in the eyes of many, we’re still the newer force on the block, a club that the media have gone out of their way to discredit and tarnish whenever possible. Our rise has been questioned and criticised more than it has been celebrated, and that does impact how some players view us, especially recently.
The truth is, most of the very top players we’ve managed to bring in have come because of Pep Guardiola. His reputation, his vision, and his ability to elevate players to another level have been the decisive factors in attracting talent that otherwise may have gone elsewhere.
Although some fans call for Pep to leave, when that day actually comes they will be in for a huge shock. It’s easy to forget just how much he has given us, how he has transformed Manchester City into a dominant force and set standards we could only dream of before his arrival. Once he steps away, the same people who now complain will quickly realise how rare a manager like Pep is, and they’ll be the first to beg for him to return to the club. His influence is so deep that life after him will inevitably feel different, and only then will some truly appreciate the era we’ve been privileged to witness. Football is cyclical, and our period of dominance is over.
