Club World Cup: Man City eye redemption after trophyless season

After a £100 million summer spending spree, Manchester City are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2024/25 season by making a strong statement at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

For the first time in eight years, Pep Guardiola’s side ended a campaign without silverware, having relinquished the Premier League title to Liverpool after a historic run of four consecutive championships. City also suffered an early Champions League exit—failing to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2012/13—and endured a shock FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.

Initially seen as an unwanted fixture in a congested calendar, the month-long expanded Club World Cup once drew frustration from the City camp. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri warned last September that a players’ strike over the relentless schedule was “close,” while defender Manuel Akanji admitted the squad was “not exactly overjoyed” about competing with limited rest.

But with the slate wiped clean, City are now embracing the tournament as a chance to reset. A revamped squad and backroom staff reflect a new chapter under Guardiola. The club completed key signings—Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli—just before the deadline to register players for the competition. They join January arrivals Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Nico Gonzalez, and Claudio Echeverri.

Nine players in City’s 27-man squad have been at the club for less than six months, signalling a fresh direction. Notably absent are veteran Kyle Walker and club-record signing Jack Grealish, both left out of the travelling squad.

Guardiola has also reshaped his coaching team, bringing in former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders and ex-City defender Kolo Toure, with three long-serving staff members departing.

“This is a very, very serious competition,” Guardiola said. “The whole world will be watching. A big number of the top teams in the world will be competing, and I can assure you, we’re going to give it our best shot. We’re going there to win it.”