Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is keen to stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the summer transfer window despite interest from Galatasaray. (Football Insider), external
'I'm not sure he's got that fire any more' - Hamann on Guardiolapublished at 15:28 BST 11 August
15:28 BST 11 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Pep Guardiola: "He's been there 10 years now, and it's a long time. We've seen with managers in the Premier League these days, usually they don't last longer than three or four years. When a season starts, you've got to light a fire in a team with the fans and make people believe. And I'm not sure he's got that fire any more.
"Obviously you can never write him off because they've got a fantastic team - Rodri is back after a long injury, but I'm not sure they're going to win another big title under Guardiola.
'City could have an outstanding season - but only if Pep plays his cards right'published at 11:57 BST 11 August
11:57 BST 11 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Manchester City are ready for the new season after Pep Guardiola's side defeated Palermo 3-0 in their only pre-season friendly in Sicily on Saturday.
Here are some of your comments:
Jack: Feel like City are still one or two players short. But I'm very positive as I think the signings we have made have been in the right areas. Reijnders was a no-brainer, as was Cherki as they both look very impressive. Same with Ait-Nouri and Trafford is long term number one and pushes Ederson. But, I feel like we could have done with a right-back. I feel like that was the position to spend and improve on Rico and Nunes.
Andrew: City are so ready. Existing squad determined to get back on track and 2025 joiners eager to make their reputations, plus a couple from the academy will grab their chance.
Cameron: I think City could have an outstanding season but only if Pep plays his cards right. First, he needs to find the right goalkeeper to start, then he needs to find a good rhythm in either passing or counter-attacking. Either way I believe City will win some trophies this season.
Kevin: There is far too much blending of the new arrivals to do in order to recreate some semblance of previous seasons. There is a lot of clearing out to do and question marks over some of the old guard. The biggest challenges are to compensate for losing the tactical/visionary genius of KDB and to see if Rodri is able to return to his ringmaster role.
David: Some of the new signings looked good at the Club World Cup and in yesterday's friendly against Palermo, Reijinders looks more than ready. Overall the team look built to go forward with more intent and with Bobb back and at his mercurial best, the future looks good. Expect more goals from midfield. We will not know for a month whether they are ready though. Not because of the Club World Cup but because Guardiola never trains his teams to start, he trains them to finish.
Steve: Hope I am proved wrong but I don't think we have strengthened the squad enough in key areas, and we still have too much 'deadwood'. Gundo, Stones, Grealish, Ake and Ederson all need to be moved on.
Who can challenge Liverpool?published at 08:02 BST 11 August
08:02 BST 11 August
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City will be a wounded beast after an undoubtedly disappointing season without winning a major trophy, capped off by a shock exit from the Club World Cup.
Boss Pep Guardiola has freshened up the squad with five new signings, including re-energising the midfield with the acquisition of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
Not since 2017 have City finished third in the Premier League, so there may be a little uncertainty around how they react and how quickly the new blood settles in.
Champions Liverpool and Arsenal are being talked about as the frontrunners for the title this season so it may suit City to fly under the radar, while all the focus is on the other two challengers.
Summer signings Cherki and Reijnders impress against Palermopublished at 08:07 BST 10 August
08:07 BST 10 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City concluded their pre-season preparations with a commanding victory over Palermo in their only summer friendly.
Rico Lewis set up Erling Haaland for the opening goal in the first half.
In the second half, summer signing Tijjani Reijnders impressed with two slick finishes to establish his credentials before City open the season at Wolves on Saturday.
'I've spent years on the M6 wondering if I was slightly insane' - fan storiespublished at 15:45 BST 8 August
15:45 BST 8 August
You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Manchester City.
Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:
Steve: As a young boy in East Sussex, I was mesmerised by Peter Barnes running down the wing. I used to pretend I was him whenever I had a ball at my feet so needless to say I became a Manchester City fan.
Here I am nearly 50 years later, a Sussex-based season ticket holder with a 550-mile round trip every home game. I have spent years on the M6 wondering if I was slightly insane?
But the friends I have made, the memories shared and the past few trophyladen years make it all worthwhile!
Image caption,
Ian: On Saturday, 5 September 1959, at age 12, went to my first Manchester City game on my own. Took the number 45 bus from Benchill, got into Maine Road at the scoreboard end and pressed up to the concrete wall right at the front. When I got home, Dad asked how they had got on. We lost 6-4 but he did not believe me and had to check the football Pink. It was typical City of old, 2-0 up after 10 minutes but still lost even with Bert Trautmann in goal.
Mark: I was at Maine Road waiting in my work van for new signing Trevor Francis to arrive.
Suddenly there was a rush of photographers running to the front entrance. In all the excitement, I started my van to get a bit closer, my foot slipped off the clutch pedal and I hit a concrete bollard!
But…I did get to see our new superstar!
Image caption,
Ian: When I was eight in 1964, Subbuteo was all down our street. I asked my mum if I could have a set for my birthday. I didn't select a team but she brought me Manchester City, I asked why and she said she liked the colours. I have been a fan ever since, passed the love onto my daughters and then to my grandsons. It's been a real rollercoaster ride but I have loved it.
Gossip: City turn down Echeverri offer published at 08:13 BST 8 August
08:13 BST 8 August
Manchester City have turned down an offer from Roma for Argentine midfielder Claudio Echeverri, 19, as they want to loan him to Girona, who are under the City Football Group umbrella. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
'I had no choice really' - fan storiespublished at 16:33 BST 7 August
16:33 BST 7 August
This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Manchester City.
Here is a selection of your submissions:
Image caption,
John: My grandad cycled from his job in the gentlemen's outfitters department of Kendal Milne on Deansgate to the first game ever played at Maine Road in 1923. My dad started going there immediately after World War Two ended.
This is me, aged seven in 1971, doing my best Colin Bell impression with my dad now taking me with him on Saturday afternoons. I had no choice really.
Aged 12 for Dennis Tueart's overhead kick and 48 for the Agueroooo moment, there was much misery in between, but my word, my midlife has been far from a crisis under Pep Guardiola.
Mike: I moved to Bury in 1962 soon after Colin Bell signed for them. He moved into a 'club' house opposite where we lived and I watched him with my dad at Gigg Lane.
When he moved to City, my support went with him. Soon after my, second favourite player Franny Lee also signed for City. That was it. I was a Man City fan forever!
Image caption,
CF: I had been begging my parents for months to go to a Man City football game, and they always said it was too dangerous and there was too much swearing and alcohol.
But then KDB announced he was leaving and I told them I had to go see him. They relented, two days before the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
That night I booked tickets, and I didn't sleep. Walking into Wembley and being hit by the sound of 70,000+ fans, the seething mass of red and blue and how Wembley Way was full... I'll never forget that.
Carl: As a football mad three-year-old living in Norwich, I only ever wanted a Norwich football strip. My mum and dad didn't have much money and when my birthday came, I was given a Man City away strip, the red and black stripes, as it was half price.
I didn't know about Man City until that day but ever since, I have followed them for 57 years and can remember watching Mike Summerbee, Lee, and Bell. City were strong, then after came the lows but I still loved City every game.
Now I still can't believe I support the greatest club ever and always will.
'It becomes really hard to separate yourself from it'published at 11:44 BST 7 August
11:44 BST 7 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs
When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.
In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.
And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.
"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.
"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.
"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.
"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.
"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."
A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.
But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.
"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.
"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."
As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?
"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.
"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.
"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."
Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.
'Nothing quite like City' - fan storiespublished at 16:32 BST 6 August
16:32 BST 6 August
This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with City.
Here is a selection of your submissions:
Image caption,
Robin: Back in 1998, we were visiting friends in Leeds and popped into Maine Road on the way home to buy a tracksuit.
I asked in the store if there was anywhere to get hot water to warm my daughter's bottle and they rang the main reception where we were told to go and see the doorman. He took us all into the trophy room and supplied the water. I got a tour of the stadium, the Gallaghers' box, met Peter Barnes and Willie Donachie.
What a club. Been a fan since 1967 and always will be.
Alun: It was 1967 - I was at a Hertfordshire school and it all tended to be Spurs and Arsenal fans, maybe Manchester United. I saw Joe Mercer interviewed after watching City highlights, presumably on Match of the Day. He was really down to earth and quietly confident. I just wanted to be different so I decided to support City.
I tracked every match in a scrapbook for years. Some good years to start and then the many difficult times. I got to games when older. I have been hooked for life. There is nothing like City.
Image caption,
Simon: Supported them since 1976 when we won the League Cup with a great goal from Dennis Tueart. Been through the heartache of losing the FA Cup in 1981 to that special Ricky Villa goal but enjoying it now, especially seeing Manchester United struggle.
My wife is treating me with a trip to the stadium and fanzone in two years time when I will be 60.
Who does Opta's Supercomputer put in the title race?published at 11:51 BST 6 August
11:51 BST 6 August
Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.
Image source, Opta
Last season promised a thrilling title race between Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool - but in the end it was anything but.
Arne Slot was given just a 5.1% chance of winning the Premier League in his debut season, but expectations are far higher now.
Despite major changes - including the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz, and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota - Liverpool have rebuilt with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike.
The Opta supercomputer now makes them title favourites, winning in 28.5% of simulations.
Arsenal have finished runners-up for three straight seasons. This could be their moment, especially with Viktor Gyokeres finally giving Mikel Arteta a true number nine. Their title odds have nearly doubled to 24.3%, though another second-place finish remains the most likely outcome.
City were aiming for a historic fifth consecutive title but stumbled, largely due to Rodri's long-term injury. With him fit again, Pep Guardiola will demand a return to form. Their supercomputer-backed chances have dropped sharply this season however, - from 82.2% to just 18.8%.
Fresh off a Club World Cup win, Chelsea are aiming for their first league title since 2017. Enzo Maresca's young side has potential, but consistency is the big question.
They win the league in 8.8% of sims, with another fourth-place finish considered the most likely.
'Definitely come back with fire in our bellies' - Stonespublished at 10:59 BST 6 August
10:59 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City defender Joe Stones says the club is determined to bounce back this season after a "humbling" 2024-25 campaign.
Pep Guardiola's side finished third in the Premier League, missing out on a fifth consecutive title and falling short of their own lofty standards.
"It was humbling for us after all the success that we've had," said the England defender. "It makes us realise what we've done and how proud we should be, but we're obviously frustrated at what we did last season.
"It's not what we want to replicate."
City ended the campaign 13 points behind champions Liverpool and three behind Arsenal, and Stones believes the squad is motivated to put things right.
"We've definitely come back with that fire in our bellies to go and achieve," he said. "We've got to get back to our identity, winning matches and having that presence about us."
The 31-year-old is fit again after an injury-hit season and says speculation around his future was never a distraction.
"It's laughable to me," he said of rumours linking him with a move away from Etihad Stadium. "I love it here. I'm here to fight and play and hopefully win some trophies."
The squad has undergone further evolution this summer with the additions of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders, who featured during the Club World Cup campaign.
Their arrivals follow January signings Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
"Football evolves, and the guys that have come in have been great," Stones added. "It takes time to adapt, but I'm excited to play with them and see what they do."
'Everyone wants to make up for last season' - Fodenpublished at 07:57 BST 6 August
07:57 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's Phil Foden says he wants to continue "getting back" to his "very high level" after an uncharacteristically difficult Premier League campaign in 2024-25.
"I think everyone wants to make up for last season, we all want to come to our best and winning titles," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.
"We have got a lot of experience in the dressing room. With Bernardo [Silva] being captain, hopefully he can push the lads on. We have got all the experience and we have done it before.
"That's a positive - you know and what it takes so hopefully we can get back there."
After being named the Premier League Player of the Season for the 2023-24 campaign, Foden only registered seven goals and two assists in the league.
However, he looked more comfortable during the summer Club World Cup in the USA - managing three goals and an assist in four games even as City were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Al-Hilal.
"I thought I was much better at the Club World Cup and my performances definitely got better from the season before," Foden said.
"I want to continue getting back to my level, which is very high. You just have to put the work in training and believe in yourself.
"I am not sure where the manager sees me this year, I can play in different positions but we all know my position is the insides, in the pockets, so let us see what happens.
"I am not here to replicate what Kev (de Bruyne) did because we all know how good he was and what he did for the club.
"It is about trying my best, getting to the level where I won Player of the Year. You can only train and get back to it - that is what I am trying to do."
Rodri and Grealish take part in open training sessionpublished at 19:13 BST 5 August
19:13 BST 5 August
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City have been boosted by the return of key midfielder Rodri following an injury picked up at the Club World Cup.
The Ballon d'Or winner came on as a second-half substitute in the shock last-16 defeat by Al-Hilal, but left the pitch early in extra time.
Manager Pep Guardiola said afterwards the player "complained about his situation", which was thought to be a minor groin issue.
But the 29-year-old took full part in Tuesday's open training session at Joie Stadium and appears to be fit for the Premier League season-opener at Wolves on 16 August.
Midfielder Jack Grealish was left out of the squad for the Club World Cup and, during that period, he has been working individually at City's training ground.
The club invited supporters to watch the training session and Grealish was part of the group being put through their paces.
The 29-year-old is said to be of interest to Everton but sources say City are yet to receive any offers for the England international.
Meanwhile, there was an interesting observer in former Wolves and Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil, who was sitting in the dugout during the session.
Asked by BBC Sport why he was there, O'Neil said he was "spending the day with Guardiola" and talking through "a few things".
