What Happens Next at Manchester City?

For a third consecutive season, Manchester City were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after the quarter final stages.

In all three instances, the story was the same. The Sky Blues outplayed their opponents. Manchester City dominated the amount of possession, the number of passes completed, the number of successful passes completed, the number of corners awarded, and the number of shots on goal.

Manchester City, however, failed to influence the most important statistic, which was the score. It is a mystery how a team could dominate every aspect of the pitch yet fail to convert where it mattered most.

Well, what will happen next?

The obvious answer is that City will have to go back to the drawing board during the 2020 Summer Transfer Window. They have already acquired Ferran Torres and Nathan Aké from Valencia and Bournemouth, respectively, and City are still in the market for at least four more signings. The board have also reaffirmed that they have faith in current City manager Pep Guardiola, and the Catalan has stated he that he is staying at the club.

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But the City board have already spent a significant amount of money on a variety of players since Guardiola’s arrival during the summer of 2016. According to Transfermarkt, Manchester City have spent nearly €800 million on transfers between the 2016/17 and 2019/20 seasons. It should be noted that Sky Blues achieved remarkable success domestically, where they became the first English team to earn 100 points in a single season in the top tier; and they were the first English team to win all three (or four) domestic trophies in the top flight. But during Guardiola’s four seasons at City, they have failed to deliver on the international stage.

Manchester City’s desire to win the Champions League is perhaps European football’s worst kept secret. It is also no surprise Guardiola was brought in to try and help City win this competition. But after four seasons of failing to win the Champions League, how much longer with the City board continue to wait until the Catalan delivers on their desired prize?

When will their patience run out? Time will tell on how long it will take for City to win the Champions League, and if Guardiola will be involved in this process. For the sake of both parties, they will hope that they achieve this success together.