"It’s not about winning trophies" — Pep Guardiola Reveals Manchester City’s True Focus This Season

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that, while winning trophies remains important, it is not the club’s primary objective for the 2025-26 campaign. The Spaniard is focused on long-term growth and the development of a newly revamped squad under director of football Hugo Viana.

A New Era at the Etihad

Since his arrival last summer, Viana has overseen a major overhaul at Manchester City, letting go of several senior players who had passed their peak and bringing in seven fresh signings. This has provided Guardiola with a younger, hungrier squad, which the Catalan believes will help the club build for sustained success in the years ahead.

“Last season, we didn’t deserve to win more than just one trophy because we didn’t play well,” Guardiola told reporters during a press conference on Monday. “It’s not about winning or not winning trophies; it’s about how the team grows up, how the team is better.”

City are currently in contention on four fronts this season, from the Premier League to domestic cups, yet Guardiola is keen to emphasise that the focus is on performance rather than immediate silverware.

Emphasising Development Over Short-Term Success

Guardiola explained that his main goal is to improve the team’s overall performance and cohesion. “The satisfaction comes from making a good performance for ourselves, for our fans, to say, ‘We had fun during 95 minutes!’ That is the point,” he said. “And the next game, things that we can do better, do it better! That is the target.”

The manager’s philosophy reflects a broader vision for Manchester City, where tactical development, player growth, and adaptability are prioritised over simply collecting trophies. He believes that by focusing on these elements, the club will naturally become more competitive and positioned to win in the long term.

Tactical Adjustments and Squad Evolution

City have also adjusted their playing style this season. Moving away from slow build-ups from the back, Guardiola has encouraged a more direct approach. This has allowed striker Erling Haaland to drop deeper into midfield at times, linking play with creative talents such as Phil Foden, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki.

The squad has been further strengthened by the addition of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, offering Guardiola more attacking options as the Blues chase down Premier League leaders Arsenal, who are currently six points clear at the top of the table.

“Each player has strengths, and my job is to integrate their qualities into the team,” Guardiola explained. “We have a new-look squad, and it is about adapting my methods to the players we have and getting them to express themselves fully on the pitch.”

City’s immediate focus is on the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United, but Guardiola remains committed to embedding his philosophy across the squad. He sees every match as an opportunity to develop the team, refine tactical approaches, and build confidence.

“This process is about creating a team that can sustain success for years,” Guardiola said. “And after, when you are in that process, at the end you fight for the titles and can win it.”

In essence, Manchester City’s strategy this season is as much about growth and preparation as it is about trophies. Guardiola is laying the foundation for long-term excellence, believing that victories will naturally follow if the team continues to improve and perform collectively.