Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes it will be “impossible” for his team to duplicate their Treble triumph from last season.
City won three major championships in 2022–23 and will kick off their Premier League campaign against newly promoted Burnley on Friday.
“It’s once in a lifetime,” Guardiola added. “What we did last season will not be possible.”
City are attempting to become the first team in history to win four consecutive English Premier League titles.
However, Guardiola stated that winning the league, Champions League, and FA Cup all over again would be too tough.
“We climbed the highest mountain last season, but we came down from it in the last two days, and now we start again,” he explained.
“Everyone has the same goal, and climbing the mountain as high as possible will be difficult.” Our football, our level, and our attitude will determine how the season goes.”
When they face former captain Vincent Kompany’s Burnley at Turf Moor, City will be strengthened by new arrivals Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic.
Guardiola stated that both players were “ready” and may participate in the season opener, although the futures of City defender Kyle Walker and winger Cole Palmer remain questionable.
The City manager stated that the club ‘wishes’ Walker would stay and that he does not know what will happen with Palmer, 21, who has been linked with a transfer to West Ham.
“[Palmer] is here with us.” “I’m not sure what will happen,” Guardiola stated. “I understand he wants to be more active than last season, but Riyad [Mahrez] is gone, and there is one more spot available. “We’ll see.”
Guardiola did not comment on West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who has been connected with the club this week, at his press conference on Thursday.
‘There will be no change.’
City’s quest for greater success this season will be hampered by an even more crowded game calendar, with the team also competing in the team World Cup and the European Super Cup.
Premier League managers have regularly expressed concerns that the timetable is overly demanding and that players and coaches do not have enough influence over the hectic schedule.
“We go to meetings [with UEFA and the Premier League], but they don’t pay any attention,” Guardiola explained.
“We don’t have enough days to compete in all of these games.” It is not an issue when a Premier League club does not play in Europe, yet many claim we play in the same conditions. We don’t; instead, we play more games.”
Guardiola has also criticized the new officiating rule, which will require extra injury time in games this season to appropriately represent stoppages in play.
City lost on penalties after conceding an equaliser in the 101st minute of their Community Shield encounter against Arsenal.
He claimed that there are already too many matches that do not include large amounts of extra time, but that the “big brain guys” make choices without consulting players and coaches.
“There are no more days, no more games, so you can’t give a day off to the players,” Guardiola continued.
“This is an old argument that is getting worse, but what can I do?” They make the decision. Nothing is going to change.
“I’ve been saying that for a while. Jurgen Klopp has said that before. We are unable to attend UEFA meetings because we are too busy. I need to get ready. “I don’t have the time.”
