In football, there’s a story that often gets lost in the glow of glory. It’s the story of how Pep Guardiola first season at Man City. The first season, the 2016/17 season, is like the first chapter in a book of triumphs.
For fans curious about how the tale of success started, this is where it all unfolds. In that season, did Pep, the mastermind, immediately start filling the trophy cabinet? Or were there challenges and moments that set the stage for the astonishing successes we see today?
This is a story of how a football giant, Manchester City, began to rise. It’s about the early days when plans were hatched, tactics were tested, and the blue side of Manchester began to believe in something extraordinary.
This article unravels everything about Pep Guardiola first season at Man City, finding out if he won trophies or not, and all relevant stats.
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Pep Guardiola first season at Man City – Squad Details
In Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City, he made some big changes to the team. First, he sent Joe Hart, the popular English goalkeeper, on loan to Celtic FC. In his place, Guardiola brought in Claudio Bravo, a 34-year-old experienced goalkeeper from Chile.
Bravo cost the team €8.00 million, showing that Guardiola trusted his skills. There was also Willy Caballero, a 35-year-old Argentine goalkeeper, and Angus Gunn, a 21-year-old Scottish goalie who was on loan at Norwich City.
The defence also saw significant changes. John Stones, a 23-year-old English centre-back, was one of the season’s big signings, and he cost €35.00 million. This move highlighted Guardiola’s focus on building a strong defence.
Nicolás Otamendi, an Argentine defender, was another option valued at €30.00 million. Vincent Kompany, a club legend, was still in the squad but had injury problems. There was also young talent like Tosin Adarabioyo, a 19-year-old English centre-back on loan at Fulham FC.
The full-back positions, which are the defenders who play on the sides of the field, saw some changes that season. Aleksandar Kolarov, a 31-year-old Serbian left-back, left the team, and competed with Gaël Clichy, a 31-year-old French left-back in that season.
The then 20-year-old Ukrainian left-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko, showcased his talent, despite being young, adding depth to the team. On the right side, Jesús Navas, at 31 years of age, played a crucial role with his experience. Pablo Zabaleta, another experienced right-back at 32 from Argentina, also contributed to the squad’s depth that season.
In the midfield, Fernandinho, a 32-year-old Brazilian, played an important role as a defensive midfielder. İlkay Gündoğan, a 26-year-old from Germany, arrived with high hopes. Kevin De Bruyne, a 26-year-old Belgian, was a key player, valued at a high €65.00 million, known for his creativity. Spanish playmaker David Silva, aged 31, was another critical figure. Yaya Touré, a legendary Ivorian midfielder aged 34, provided experience.
Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City involved many changes in the squad. The team featured a mix of both young and experienced players, showing Guardiola’s efforts to build a team that could play his style of football. This season marked the beginning of a new era for Manchester City under Guardiola’s leadership.
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Top Departure
| Player | Position | Destination | Transfer Type | Transfer Fee (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eliaquim Mangala | Center-Back | Valencia | Loan Transfer | – |
| Wilfried Bony | Center-Forward | Stoke City | Loan Transfer | €2.35 million |
| Joe Hart | Goalkeeper | Torino | Loan Transfer | – |
| Samir Nasri | Attacking Midfield | Sevilla FC | Loan Transfer | – |
| Edin Džeko | Center-Forward | AS Roma | Permanent Transfer | €11.00 million |
During Pep Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City in the 2016/17 campaign, the club witnessed several key departures, each of which played a distinct role in shaping the squad and the dynamics of the team.
One significant departure was Eliaquim Mangala, a French centre-back, who embarked on a loan transfer to Valencia. This move was notable not only for the change in defensive personnel but also for the financial aspect, as it allowed the club to retain a portion of the player’s wages while he gained experience elsewhere.
Another prominent departure was Joe Hart, the experienced English goalkeeper. He embarked on a loan transfer to Torino, which marked the end of his long-standing association with the club and introduced new possibilities in the goalkeeping department.
Samir Nasri, a skillful French attacking midfielder, went on a loan transfer to Sevilla FC, which allowed him to explore new opportunities while influencing the club’s midfield dynamics.
Edin Džeko, the Bosnian centre-forward, departed for AS Roma for a transfer fee of €11.00 million, underlining the club’s reshaping of the forward line and the financial aspect of the deal.
These departures, taken together, provided an analytical insight into Guardiola’s strategic approach. They influenced the squad composition, helped manage the wage bill, and facilitated the introduction of new talents.
While some departures were on loan, they were integral to the club’s transitional phase and reflected Guardiola’s early efforts to fine-tune the team according to his vision.
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Top Arrival
| Player | Position | Previous Club | Transfer Fee (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Stones | Center-Back | Everton | €55.60 million |
| Leroy Sané | Right Winger | FC Schalke 04 | €52.00 million |
| Gabriel Jesus | Center-Forward | Palmeiras | €32.00 million |
| İlkay Gündoğan | Central Midfield | Borussia Dortmund | €27.00 million |
| Nolito | Left Winger | Celta de Vigo | €18.00 million |
Pep Guardiola also made some significant signings to bolster Manchester City’s squad in that same season. These arrivals were pivotal in shaping the team’s dynamic, and they came with substantial financial investment.
John Stones, a 23-year-old English centre-back, was the standout addition, arriving for a substantial fee of €55.60 million. This made him the most expensive arrival of the season. Guardiola clearly saw Stones as a crucial piece in his tactical puzzle, and the high fee reflected the club’s commitment to his vision.
Another important signing for Guardiola that season was Leroy Sané. The 20-year-old German right-winger was signed for €52.00 million. Sané’s arrival signalled the club’s ambition to inject youth and pace into the squad. His contribution to the team’s attacking prowess was expected to be significant.
19-year-old Gabriel Jesus, İlkay Gündoğan and Nolito were also signed in the same season.
These arrivals not only added depth and talent but also indicated a shift in Manchester City’s approach under Guardiola. The significant financial investment demonstrated the club’s commitment to its tactical philosophy and the pursuit of success in the 2016/17 season.
(You may find out Pep Guardiola’s current total spend at Man City.)
Net Spend
| Category | Amount (€) |
|---|---|
| Expenditure | €216.25 million |
| Income | €35.35 million |
| Net Spend | €-180.90 million |
In the 2016/17 season under Pep Guardiola management, Man City spent a lot of money on new players to make the team stronger. They brought in players like John Stones, Leroy Sané, Gabriel Jesus, İlkay Gündoğan, and Nolito. These new players cost the club €216.25 million in total.
At the same time, some players left the team, like Eliaquim Mangala, Wilfried Bony, Joe Hart, Samir Nasri, and Edin Dzeko. The club received €35.35 million from these player departures.
To find the net spend, we subtract the money earned from player sales (€35.35 million) from the money spent on new players (€216.25 million). This gives us a net spend of €-180.90 million. This negative number means that Manchester City spent a lot more on new players than they got from selling players.
This shows that the club was serious about improving the team by spending money, and they had the financial resources to do so. Even with a negative net spend, it demonstrates their ambition and financial strength to compete at a high level in the 2016/17 season under Guardiola.
Assist Leader
| Player | Position | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin De Bruyne | Attacking Midfield | 19 |
| Raheem Sterling | Left Winger | 10 |
| David Silva | Attacking Midfield | 8 |
| Leroy Sané | Right Winger | 5 |
| Sergio Agüero | Centre-Forward | 4 |
In Pep Guardiola first season at Man City, Kevin De Bruyne was the most creative player, leading the assist chart with 19.
Only Raheem Sterling and David Silva came close with 10 and 8 assists respectively.
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Pep Guardiola first season at Man City – Summarized Season Record
Manchester City participated in a total of 56 matches during that season. They secured 33 wins, played to 13 draws, and faced 10 losses. This record translated to an average of 2.00 points per match (PPM).
The 33 victories showcased the team’s ability to win consistently, while the 13 draws indicated their resilience in not losing matches. However, the 10 losses revealed that there were areas where the team could improve.
In terms of competitions, Manchester City reached the Fourth Round in the EFL Cup, the last 16 in the UEFA Champions League, and the Qualifying Round in the Champions League, showing their presence on multiple fronts. They progressed to the Semi-Finals in the FA Cup, emphasizing their strong performance in domestic competitions. In the Premier League, they finished 3rd, which was a respectable achievement but fell short of the championship.
The Premier League table for that season provides a numerical summary of Manchester City’s performance. They finished 3rd with 78 points, trailing behind Chelsea (93 points) and Tottenham Hotspur (86 points). This position indicated a competitive season but also highlighted room for improvement to challenge for the league title.
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Did Pep Guardiola Win A Trophy In His First Season At Man City?
| Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|
| EFL Cup | Fourth Round |
| UEFA Champions League | Last 16 |
| Champions League Qualifying | Qualifying Round |
| FA Cup | Semi-Finals |
| Premier League | 3rd |
Given the provided analysis above, it is clear that Man City did not win a single trophy under Pep Guardiola in his first season with the club.
Rather it was characterized by a good number of match wins and a strong presence in various competitions. 10 losses and a 3rd-place finish in the Premier League revealed areas where the team aimed to enhance its performance in subsequent seasons.
