Pep Guardiola looks to have suggested that more than a decade of Manchester City’s supremacy and Premier League dominance at the very least might be coming to an end.
Speaking in his post-match press interviews after City were knocked out of the Champions League by serial European Cup winners Real Madrid, Guardiola cut a somewhat more deflated figure than usual following the 3-1 defeat.
A Kylian Mbappe hattrick which was closed out within an hour of play was enough to stretch the aggregate score to 6-3 over the two legs and Madrid doubling their lead across the tie proved yet again why, not unlike City domestically over the last decade, they’re the kings of the continental competition.
In contrast, however, Pep seemed to accept the loss much more easily than perhaps we’ve seen in the past and rather than appearing familiarly frustrated or defiant in the press conference; instead, he seemed rather reflective, responding to one reporter: “Nothing is eternal”.
🗣️ "Nothing is eternal" – Pep Guardiola.
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Insisting that they have to decide whether a significant rebuild is needed to keep competing at the very top level consistently as they have done since the 54-year-old arrived back in 2016, he argued that it is only with that they’ll be able to determine what comes next.
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As for the result itself, he made no bones about Carlo Ancelotti’s side having “deserved it”, stating simply that “the best team won” and that fans and players alike have to “accept the reality: they were better.”
Having been a familiar foe for Pep long before he arrived in Manchester, both at Barcelona and Bayern Munich – not to mention City having faced Los Blancos a dozen times before Tuesday night since 2012 – there have been less surprising outcomes for supporters to come to terms with.
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“With time, the club and everyone is going to accept what it is but for now we have 30/40 games for the Premier League next season to try and be here [in the Champions League] and to improve. Nothing is eternal”, said the Catalan coaching genius.
On the other hand, he also went on to add that it was merely a reflection on the night itself and not what his team have achieved in recent years.
He went on to remark that “when we were playing outstanding it hurt more” to be knocked out of the UCL when he felt they deserved to stay in it, but still insisted: “We have been unbelievable and we have to try step by step to get better from today.” Tonight just wasn’t the night.
Who knows? Perhaps it was just some more melodrama from a manager with an undeniable flare for pageantry and playing into/in the face of narratives when he doesn’t come out on top – which hasn’t happened all that often until their dip in form this season.
Plus, there’s certainly still plenty for him and the fans to be positive about; not only has the arrival of their ‘Egyptian Prince’ and the media’s Mo Salah successor, Omar Marmoush, got plenty of people excited – especially after that first-half hattrick against Newcastle – but so too have the other January signings.
In fact, for all of his downplaying in this particular presser (which you can hear in full HERE), it felt like there were only upsides after their victory over Newcastle, even going so far as to dub new signing Nico Gonzalez a ‘mini-Rodri‘.
You can watch the highlights from the game down below:
Pep is right, nothing is eternal – but sometimes you just come up against talents like Mbappe and there’s very little anyone can do about it.
Kobbie Mainoo’s new Manchester United contract is edging closer
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract is creeping ever closer, manager Michael Carrick has suggested.
Ahead of Man United playing their first game in 24 days, supporters will take any positive news they can get, with the club having now shared the update regarding Mainoo extending his stay.
Following Carrick’s pre-match press conference before Monday night’s clash against old rivals, Leeds United, the Red Devils boss intimated that things are moving in the right direction, though he wouldn’t give any categorical confirmation whether or not a full agreement has been reached quite yet.
Here’s what he had to say:
"At the moment, we're in a good place."
A promising update on Kobbie's contract situation ⬇️
“Obviously, we’d like to think so, yeah, and it’s getting closer, so we’re positive with that”, said the 44-year-old coach.
He went on to add: “We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it. Time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we’re in a good place with it.” You can hear his full response on the matter in the second part of his most recent presser right HERE.
As per multiple outlets earlier this month, Mainoo’s is reportedly set to see a huge increase in his salary if the numbers are to be believed.
Compared to the current £25,000 a week he is currently earning – staggering sums, sure, but a drop in the ocean when it comes to football money – he is set to earn nearly five times that amount if/when new terms are finalised.
It looked as though the Stockport-born academy product England prospect was on the verge of leaving under Ruben Amorim, as he somehow struggled to get into the side; now, though, it’s safe to say he looks to be steadily getting back on track under the former United midfielder.
With a rumoured £120k weekly package, this will see the 20-year-old earn a much more competitive wage that’s arguably more on a par with his teammates.
As not only one of their promising youth products but also already perceived to be one of their most talented first-team stars (making his senior debut in January 2023), many would argue that the extension of the present deal, which runs until 2027, is long overdue.
Said to be on the verge of penning the new contract, which is expected to see him stay until at least 2031, an official announcement would come as an added bonus for fans should they return to the pitch with a win over Leeds.
As for other transfer business, Man United have been linked with yet another midfielder ahead of the incoming summer window – though this one would be a more offensive and perhaps ambitious bit of recruitment…
First wave of ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton lineup in memory of the legendary Manc boxer announced
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton, and now the first wave of AO Arena’s lineup has dropped.
Coming this summer, the legendary Manchester arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still only know bits and pieces about what’s in store, but a whole host of famous Manc names and figures from the world of sport have now been announced.
One thing’s for sure, this will be special.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR “AN EVENING4RICKY” – A SPECTACULAR CELEBRATION OF RICKY HATTON’S LIFE AND LEGACY
“I’m a Mancunian born and bred and I feel no different to the crowd” – Ricky Hatton
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
As you can see, now confirmed for the evening are the likes of Man United legend, Paul Scholes, darts icon Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, as well as fellow former boxers like Frank Bruno, Tony Bellew and more.
Local band The K’s have also been named as part of the in-person performances, with more live music and entertainment set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.
Danny Jones -
20th February 2025 
