Pep Guardiola reflects frankly during Manchester City's substandard season and admits he hasn't met his expectations this semester.

The 54-year-old signed a two-year contract in the fall of 2024 that will keep him running through the 2026-27 campaign, Manchester’s bonus ahead of a busy transfer window that could witness several newcomers.

But the 2023 Treble champions have turned since April and started gear at the end of the season's business, which will bring them to meet Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola asked about the disappointing year for the Catalans during a press conference in Manchester City last time against Southampton.

"It's more demanding. More. When you don't win, it's more demanding on emotionally, preparation, emotions and everything. It's getting harder."

“It’s getting harder than the season we’ve won to win the championship.” Regarding whether this was the most demanding season of his management career, Guardiola added: “Yes, it’s the hardest. That’s for sure.

"We're hurt a lot. We don't have the energy. We've tried most of the time, but we can't do it. I haven't found a way to make them feel comfortable winning games, which helped us win more games.

"But at the same time, it happens. You can't always win in your career. Accept the reality that is as normal as life, learning and improving."

Guardiola, acknowledging that it was the most demanding season of his management career, noting the challenges he faced for the standards he faced over the years at Manchester City.

He said: "We didn't win a game, we couldn't win a lot of games for many months. It's demanding, we didn't win. With this business you have to win. Otherwise you can't be here next time."

“We represent people and a club and you have to do your job as much as you can, and we are not doing that this season. We are at a high level and we are down. Even then, I would say things could be worse.

"I know how many championships there are and from November, November, November, they can't find a way to win the Premier League, they're in 12th place. Sixth or seventh place is good. But tenth, 11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14-14--a lot.

"Just look at the history. Even so, we're still bad, I'm not good at finding a way, but we didn't give up. That's why we're here. We're still struggling to qualify for the Champions League - it's a big, big, big, big prize. Everyone has to admit it, even in the FA Cup final.

“We won the Community Shield at the start of the season against (Manchester) United. We won a championship, we fought for second place and got the qualifying match.

"In terms of the results after that, I said ok, I know it's not very good. But it could be worse! Still, we were there. I was there. The players were there. Not our best, but we didn't give up."

Manchester City hopes to recruit four to five first-team signings and lure people like Florian Wirtz, Morgan Gibbs-White and Tijjani Reijnders to take part in the Etihad Stadium for a challenge next season.

Guardiola will be backed up in the transfer market through upcoming sporting director Hugo Viana, and after several years of lucrative sales - Julian Alvarez, Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer all left Manchester City - with money to spend money.