Exclusive: Time For Change at Etihad Next Season, says Former Manchester City Boss Brian Horton

Former Manchester City manager Brian Horton is convinced it’s time for change at the Etihad Stadium – and he knows boss Pep Guardiola is already preparing to bounce back in style after a frustrating season.

The Blues missed out on the chance to end their season on a high with defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley. 

And although they won the Charity Shield this season, that success is a far cry from the unparalleled success City supporters have become used to since the Spaniard took over in February 2016.

The club’s loyal fans will have to wait until the final day of the season to see if Guardiola’s side can secure Champions League football next season.

Victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night lifted City to 68 points, but five teams will battle it out for three Champions League places on the final day of the season.

Newcastle United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are also in the mix in what promises to be a thrilling finale to a gripping campaign.

“It’s time for change and Pep knows that, he knows that better than anybody,” said Horton, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“It’s transition at the end of the day, it’s a massive summer for them in the transfer market."

“They’ve won so much over the last few years, but this year they’ve fallen short unfortunately."

“But at the end of the day, Pep’s level is second to none, it’s just a different level to anyone else."

“He’ll feel the pressure more than anybody because he’s a winner. He’s a serial winner."

“He still wants to win everything, you can see that. He’s so driven.”

INCREDIBLE SUCCESS

Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles and 11 other titles during a dazzling spell with City, resisted the chance to make wholesale changes with his squad last summer.

And some of his critics have said the 54-year-old should have signed more new players for this season.

“It must be one [the season] Pep must be looking back and thinking ‘should I have made the changes earlier’,” added Horton.

“But if he’d have made the changes at the end of last season, say last summer, and it had gone like it’s gone, then everybody would be saying: why change it?"

“However, not that he didn’t he’s getting a bit of criticism because he didn’t. You can’t win can you?"

“You can see the frustration in Pep can’t you, his passion is still there."

“Sometimes that frustration rubs off on to players, collectively, swapping and changing trying to get the correct system and performance."

“And for those players that have done it before, and won the treble, then the next step is to see if those players become great players."

“To keep doing it again and again, well that takes a special type of player.”

END OF AN ERA

Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne received an emotional send-off before and after Tuesday night’s 3-1 home win against Bournemouth, but the Belgian playmaker will not be pulling the strings next season having been told he is surplus to requirements after a decade-long association with the club.

And Guardiola threatened to quit as boss unless the club reduce the size of his squad, with so many players not getting the chance to play regularly.

“Kevin De Bruyne is going, he’ll be a massive miss,” reflected Horton.

“He’s probably been one of the best-ever players in the Premier League."

“It’s a major miss for the club, but Pep knows he needs to sign new players and freshen his squad."

“I think we’ll all be watching with interest this summer to who he signs.”