The Pep years: season by season, how Guardiola's Manchester City evolved

Pep Guardiola arrived in east Manchester to lead English football, using the season to assess players who could fit his system and identify changes needed. Kevin De Bruyne proved highly influential, with midfield quality standing out as City showed early promise but finished third in the Premier League and were eliminated by Monaco in the Champions League last 16. Summer recruitment centered on Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, and Ederson, while long-serving players were moved on. After a strong start that included a League Cup win at Wembley and a Premier League title, City reached 100 points and scored 106 goals, finishing 19 points clear. The following season brought 98 points and 95 goals, with Liverpool pushing them closely as City won their final 14 league matches and secured the League Cup and FA Cup.

"It was soon apparent how influential the era-defining Kevin De Bruyne would be for Guardiola, as his class in midfield shone. City showed promise but finished third in the Premier League and were knocked out by Monaco in the Champions League last 16 as the new head coach began without a trophy. Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Ederson headlined the summer business, while plenty of long-serving players were shipped out."

"Everything was in place for Guardiola's revolution and City did not disappoint, dropping two points in the opening 20 Premier League matches. Liverpool were thrashed 5-0 in the fourth game of the campaign but got their own back by dumping City out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals. The first trophy of the Guardiola era was collected at Wembley, Arsenal the victims in the League Cup final."

"No one could compete and the title inevitably followed, City reaching the 100-point mark and scoring 106 goals as they showed they were the great entertainers, finishing 19 points clear of second-placed Manchester United. Gabriel Jesus (left) celebrates with Brahim Diaz and Raheem Sterling after his late winner at Southampton on the final day in 2017-18 took City to 100 points."

"A comparatively poor 98 points and 95 goals followed but every single one was vital as Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool fought City until the bitter end. The two clubs exchanged the lead at the top of the table 32 times over the course of the season. City won their final 14 league matches on their way to domestic glory, lifting the League Cup and the FA Cup along the way."

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