Second-year expectations for Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola
By Roy Emanuel
A look ahead for two familiar foes in England.
Two of the world’s top managers arrived in the same city last year, and the Premier League felt the effects in many different ways. Jose Mourinho at Manchester United and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City brought major excitement and, depending on how you look at it, some success as well.
An improved attack and a third-place league finish highlight Guardiola’s first term at the Etihad Stadium, while a “treble” of sorts for the Special One at Old Trafford is perhaps the start of a bright future. United captured the FA Community Shield, EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League this past season.
Both clubs will undoubtedly be set to utilise their massive financial resources in the summer transfer period, and will have their sights set on loftier goals in the upcoming campaign. But where exactly will success be found? And will it be enough for the managers’ respective Manchester squads?
Manchester United
Mourinho spent much of last summer bringing in talent that he thought would make a major impact, and in most cases he was right. The signings of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were all influential.
A return to Champions League football was critical, but improvements must be made on the season’s sixth-place finish. The Red Devils finished six points back of fifth-place Arsenal.
The possible arrival of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata will aid the loss of Ibrahimovic at the top of the line-up, with more additions bound to follow in the coming weeks. Finishing in the top four and advancing out of the Champions League group stage will be a minimum for Mourinho in 2017-18.
Manchester City
Guardiola and City did make excellent strides together and, at times, played wonderful attacking football. But the City Football Group needs to see trophies, and that is exactly what will be expected of the Catalan tactician this season.
Pushing Chelsea and Tottenham for a Premier League title is top priority, with a better showing in the UEFA Champions League necessary as well. Considering Guardiola’s legendary reputation and the impatience of the club’s hierarchy, a perfect storm has been created for the coach this coming season.
Ultimately, lifting the FA Cup or EFL Cup will likely not be enough to satisfy the Manchester City board.
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Two of Europe’s most successful football managers now ply their trade in the same area, and both face similar challenges. But for Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, positive results and overall improvements are the only way that they will continue at Manchester United and Manchester City.
And that fact holds true even for the best of the best.