Guardiola Says Manchester City Faces Rebuild After Champions League Exit

Pep Guardiola acknowledged the need for a rebuild at Manchester City after their elimination from the Champions League by Real Madrid, who advanced with a 6-3 aggregate score. Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick in the second leg secured a 3-1 victory, following a damaging 3-2 loss in the first leg, marking the first time City has failed to reach the last 16 under Guardiola. Guardiola reflected on a challenging season, stating that injuries and a 22nd-place finish in the league phase contributed to their struggles. He noted that City has already begun their rebuild, spending over £170 million on new signings during the January transfer window. Despite their current difficulties, Guardiola emphasized the historic achievements of the team, including six Premier League titles in seven seasons. Looking ahead, he expressed the importance of finishing in the top four to qualify for next season's Champions League.