Can Manchester City Bounce Back to Mount a Title Challenge Next Season?

It might sound a strange thing to say for a team still battling for a UEFA Champions League spot, but the 2024/25 campaign has been distinctly underwhelming for Manchester City. By the high standards that Pep Guardiola’s men have set, this season has been a bit of a letdown for fans. Even if City do finish in the Champions League spots, the absence of any serious title bid and the way that Liverpool have outclassed them in the league stings.

This leaves supporters wondering whether the side can bounce back next season and make a concerted effort to bag another Premier League trophy. Punters who claim the current William Hill welcome offer will be especially interested, as it can be used to bet on which side will come out on top in 2025/26.

But is it really possible for City to come roaring back next season with a vengeance? The simple answer is yes, but they need to sort out the below issues first.

Players must forget this season and get their hunger back

If City are to challenge for the title next season, they have to quickly get over the disappointment of this campaign first. If the players let what happened in 2024/25 affect their mentality going into the new season, it will be tough for them to put in the kind of performances needed to make a title bid.

In addition, the City players must rediscover a hunger for winning trophies and a desire to win games that has been strangely missing of late. Some big names in the squad have commented on this publicly and Guardiola’s men must fix this over the summer.

They need some top-quality signings in the summer

There are reports of a glut of summer signings at Manchester City and this is something that will help with a proper title challenge next season.

Although Guardiola’s a top coach, even he is only as good as the players at his disposal. With rumours of as many as five top-class players being signed in the coming transfer window, it seems that the club are on board with this. A batch of fresh talent will also help refresh the City squad, allow fading club legends to leave and make them a real force again next year.

Their style must evolve so that they’re less predictable

One thing that explains Manchester City’s disappointing season is other Premier League sides working out how to beat them. This seemed an impossible task in the past and left other teams in the league bamboozled by the side’s attacking, possession-based approach.

They do not seem to have the same aura anymore though and this could be down to other teams knowing how best to nullify them. To be in with a real chance of winning the title next year, Guardiola might have to think about changing up his tactics and surprising fellow coaches with a more direct style of play.

Form of rivals could be key

While there are some key things that City could focus on to get back in the groove next year and top the Premier League table, a lot might depend on how their main title rivals perform. If Liverpool are as imperious as they have been this campaign again, there might not be too much that the Manchester-based side can do to win back the title!

Will Manchester City be back to their best next year?

For supporters and football fans alike, this really is the burning question. Can Manchester City shrug off what happened this year, regroup over the summer and come back to mount a title bid in 2025/26? Although there are never any guarantees, City will certainly stand a chance if they address the above issues.

Published by Patrick Jane
15.06.2025