Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his disappointment over the club’s failure to progress in the Champions League, despite the efforts of sporting director Txiki Begiristain.
City were knocked out of the competition in the quarter-finals by Lyon, with Guardiola admitting that he was “sad and disappointed” by the result. Speaking after the match, the Spanish coach praised Begiristain for his work in assembling a talented squad, but acknowledged that they were unable to deliver when it mattered most.
“It’s always difficult to accept defeat, especially in a competition like the Champions League,” Guardiola said. “Txiki has done a fantastic job in bringing in top-quality players, but ultimately it’s up to us as a team to perform on the pitch and we didn’t do that tonight.”
Despite the disappointment, Guardiola remains positive about the future of the club and is determined to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger next season.
“We will analyse what went wrong and work hard to improve,” he said. “We have a talented group of players and I have full confidence in their ability to bounce back from this setback.”
City’s exit from the Champions League marks the fourth consecutive season that Guardiola has failed to lead the team to the final, despite their domestic success in the Premier League and other competitions.
As they look ahead to the new season, Guardiola and Begiristain will be hoping to strengthen the squad and address any weaknesses that were exposed in their European campaign. With the backing of the club’s owners and the continued support of the fans, City will be aiming to make a strong comeback in the Champions League next year.
While the disappointment of this season’s exit may still linger, Guardiola remains focused on the future and is determined to lead City to success in the Champions League. With his unwavering commitment and the support of his players and staff, there is no doubt that City will be back stronger and more determined than ever in their pursuit of European glory.