Manchester City’s 2024–25 season came to a bitter end with a 1–0 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. The defeat not only ended their campaign without a trophy, but it also left their Champions League qualification uncertain. For Pep Guardiola, it was a harsh reflection of a disappointing year.
Yesterday was far from a good day for Manchester City—or for Pep Guardiola, for that matter. The 1–0 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, a match that didn’t lack controversy, was a fitting reflection of what has been a disappointing season for the English side. The Citizens end the 2024–25 campaign without a single trophy and still uncertain about their qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The frustration among City supporters was evident across social media. “Guardiola has to go now!” one fan wrote. Another added, “He’s shown a total lack of class—it’s time for him to leave.”
Many echoed similar feelings: “It would be better for him, for the Premier League, and for football in general. And I admire Pep…” or “Please, Pep, step aside and make room for someone with fresh ideas.”
While some still believe he deserves one more chance if he qualifies for the Champions League with a win over Bournemouth, others argue that this could be the moment for a major change. “If he loses, he should go. Bournemouth could change Premier League history forever,” read one viral comment. Although it seems unlikely he would walk away so soon after renewing his contract last November, football is always full of surprises.
A disappointing season by the numbers
This year, Guardiola’s City failed to win a single piece of silverware. In the Premier League, they finished fifth, placing their Champions League qualification in serious doubt. They lost the Community Shield to Arsenal on penalties, were knocked out in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals by Aston Villa, and crashed out of the Champions League in the Round of 16 against Real Madrid.
The FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace capped off a season where expectations went unmet and criticism mounted. Despite the strength of the squad and Guardiola’s leadership, the team fell short when it mattered most—fueling speculation about whether the end of an era is approaching in Manchester.
