Ilkay Gundogan claims Man City downfall due to players missing 'desire and determination' of previous glory years under Pep Guardiola

Despite clinching the Premier League title in four consecutive seasons and six of the last seven campaigns, Pep Guardiola’s side have found themselves struggling to maintain that standard in 2024–25. A difficult stretch in November and December saw them slide down the table, and they now sit sixth with just seven league matches remaining.

Every fixture has become crucial with the top five positions guaranteeing Champions League football next season. Gundogan, who captained City during their treble-winning campaign, has suggested that the lack of intensity and collective mentality might explain why the club is battling for a top-five finish rather than challenging for another Premier League title.

In a candid interview with ESPN, Gundoğan shared his belief that City’s issues have not just been tactical or down to injuries but psychological as well. He feels that a fixation on systems and positional play may have come at the expense of foundational elements like hunger, aggression, and work rate.

"I feel like in a lot of games from our side maybe we gave sometimes a bit too much importance to tactics and didn't really pay attention much on behaviour; behaviours of ourselves," Gundogan said.

"Having that determination, that desire, aggressivity. Like simple things that are part of the game, but maybe sometimes you just think too much about positioning yourself or whatever. You might forget the other things that are kind of normal or that should be normal at least."

City’s recent improvement in results has given fans hope of a strong finish. For Gundoğan, one moment that stood out was the FA Cup quarter-final comeback against Bournemouth in March, which City won 2-1 after falling behind early.

"Honestly, in the last few games I see a certain change, especially that uncomfortable, very uncomfortable game against Bournemouth in the FA Cup," he said. "The way they play -- aggressive, physically strong -- and the way we behave there away at their place, especially after also conceding the first one, I think it was just unbelievable."

With their Champions League hopes hanging in the balance, City now enter a decisive stretch of the campaign. Their next fixture against Crystal Palace will serve as a litmus test for whether this new mentality can carry them through the final hurdles. If Gundogan’s observations prove accurate, City may yet salvage a top-five finish — but only if they can maintain the spirit and fight that once made them England’s most dominant force.