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Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ended the campaign 13 points behind winners Liverpool (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Pep Guardiola admitted he could not guarantee Manchester City would bounce back to challenge Liverpool for next season's Premier League title.

And he has admitted that his side are 'miles away' from the new champions.

City will play in the Champions League for a 15th-successive season after they salvaged a disappointing campaign with a final-day victory over Fulham to finish third and secure a spot in Europe's top-tier competition.

However, the outgoing champions ended the season – the club's first without a trophy in eight years – 13 points behind new champions Liverpool.

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And when asked if he expected City would be in a position to dethrone Arne Slot's side next term, Guardiola said: "I don't know.

I never thought we would win six Premier League titles in seven years.

"But if you expect that I am going to tell you now that next season we are going to win the Premier League, you are wrong.

"Since I have arrived at this club, we have finished with 80-plus points and this season we have finished with 71 so that is miles away from our standards.

I have a feeling next season will be better but I don't know how we will react after the Club World Cup.

But if we are fit, we will try and we will be closer."

With Kevin De Bruyne calling time on his City career and doubts cast over Jack Grealish's future, there is a growing feeling that the deposed champions would need a major rebuild to compete.

However, while Guardiola – who had already said he wanted to trim his squad – admitted new players would be brought in, he did not envisage a significant overhaul this summer.

Guardiola continued: "I don't have that feeling.

But that is now not my business.

"I qualified for the Champions League and the rest belongs to the club."


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