Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has delivered a candid assessment of the team’s turbulent 2024-25 season, stating that even winning the FA Cup would not compensate for the club’s underwhelming performance under manager Pep Guardiola. As City prepare to face Nottingham Forest in a crucial semi-final clash at Wembley on Sunday, Gundogan’s remarks underscore the high expectations and lingering frustrations at the Etihad Stadium.
City, who have dominated English football in recent years with four consecutive Premier League titles, find themselves in unfamiliar territory this season. Currently languishing in fifth place in the Premier League and eliminated from the Champions League, the FA Cup represents their final opportunity to secure silverware. However, Gundogan, who rejoined the club from Barcelona in the summer of 2024, believes that lifting the trophy would not mask the campaign’s shortcomings.
“The past has shown that it’s not the standard we set for ourselves,” Gundogan told ESPN ahead of the semi-final. “We know things were not good enough from our side throughout the season. We can’t change that, we can only take it and be honest with ourselves. It’s important to admit to yourself.” His comments reflect a season marred by inconsistency, injuries, and tactical struggles, with the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri due to injury cited as a significant factor.
The German midfielder, a key figure in City’s 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, has not shied away from acknowledging the team’s struggles. Earlier this season, he highlighted a lack of confidence and “mental issues” within the squad following a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus, a view that reportedly clashed with Guardiola’s assessment of the team’s performances. Despite a recent upturn in form, including an unbeaten run of four games and a hard-fought FA Cup victory over Bournemouth, Gundogan remains realistic about the season’s overall narrative.
City’s struggles have been compounded by the declining form of veteran players like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Gundogan himself, as well as the departure of Kyle Walker to AC Milan in January. The team’s midfield, traditionally a stronghold under Guardiola, has been exposed, with Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic struggling to fill the void left by Rodri. The Independent noted that Gundogan’s return from Barcelona, initially hailed as a “masterstroke,” has instead highlighted his reduced mobility and the club’s failure to pursue younger midfield targets in the transfer market.
Guardiola, who has taken responsibility for the team’s struggles, admitted his work this season has been “really poor.” Yet, he remains optimistic about Gundogan’s future, confirming that the 34-year-old’s contract extension will likely be triggered for next season. “I count on Gundo, I count on Bernie, I count on all the players who have a Man City contract—they are there! No doubts about that,” Guardiola said in March.