Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been set the daunting target of winning the treble next season by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, reports The Manchester Evening News.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss endured his first trophyless campaign in management this term in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, with a third place finish in the Premier League as good as it got for the Citizens.
And that’s because Guardiola’s men lost to Monaco in the last-16 of the Champions League, lost to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and went out to neighbours Manchester United in the fourth round of the League Cup, yet it’s clear that the 46-year-old will have to improve next season.
And that’s as a result of comments made from the chairman, who has targeted the treble next term.
He said: ‘The dream of doing the Treble, yes.
‘I want to do the Treble, or else let’s go for the Quadruple! Why not?
‘We should have that aspiration. I have it, no doubt.’
These comments are sure to pile the pressure on Guardiola after a disappointing first season at the club, although there were signs with the form of Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane, as well as the efforts of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, that things were beginning to improve as the season progressed.
However, the City boss will have to turn that into silverware next term, otherwise he could find himself under pressure at the Etihad Stadium, yet with Bernardo Silva already through the door, and goalkeeper Ederson expected to join him, it’s clear that Guardiola is prepping for a shot at glory on both domestic and European stages next season.