"Have Given City The Spark"—Pep Guardiola Reveals What Has Sparked Manchester City's Stunning Comeback From Their Worst Season

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have once again proven why he’s one of the best in the game. After a rough spell earlier in the season that had many doubting him and his team, Guardiola has managed to turn things around and he has done it by sticking with his most trusted and experienced players.

At one point, it looked like City were running out of steam. Poor results and slow performances made fans and pundits question whether Guardiola’s style of play – and his key players – were getting outdated. One newspaper even described him as “decidedly old hat.” Critics pointed at the age of players like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Ilkay Gundogan, claiming the midfield was simply too old and not quick enough.

But Guardiola didn’t panic. Instead of dropping his senior stars, he continued to play them, even when things weren’t going well. And that decision has now paid off. Since the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in March, City have gone on an unbeaten run – winning five and drawing one of their last six matches.

One of the most impressive wins was a recent 2-1 victory over Aston Villa – one of the top-performing teams in the Premier League this season. In that match, Bernardo Silva was everywhere on the pitch, proving his critics wrong and showing why he remains such an important part of City’s squad.

Guardiola has made it clear that he’s been impressed with how his senior players have responded. After the Villa win, he said, “The Bournemouth game changed something and made us realise we are not miles away… Look how everybody moved, we were so aggressive. We need it in the semi-final.”

He also praised the attitude and energy shown by his players, saying they need to be just as sharp and hungry for the rest of the season. Guardiola highlighted that their recent form has put the team back in control of their destiny.

Nico Gonzalez, the young midfielder brought in to give Rodri some rest, has even been benched in favour of the more experienced stars during this run. Guardiola’s decision to trust the “uncles” of the squad – the older, more seasoned players – has given City the stability and spark they were missing earlier in the season.

Now, with a crucial FA Cup semi-final coming up and the Premier League title still within reach, Manchester City look like they’re back to their best. Guardiola’s loyalty to his experienced players may have once been seen as stubborn, but it’s now looking like a masterstroke.