THE GRATEFUL DUD

Pep takes positives out of misfiring season and says lessons learnt will spark City back to life

- by DAVID MCDONNELL

PEP GUARDIOLA says this season has been a brutal reality check for Manchester City but one from which he believes they will come back stronger.

City, Premier League champions for the last four seasons, are fifth in the table and in danger of missing out on the Champions League for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign.

Guardiola also failed to reach the Champions League last 16 for the first time as a manager, with the FA Cup and a top-four place the only targets left for the soon-to-be-deposed champions.

Against that backdrop, City and England midfielder Phil Foden admitted this season's difficulties had made him appreciate his success at City that much more and not to take it for granted.

Guardiola, who has won 18 trophies in nine years at City, echoed Foden, claiming the experience of this season will only serve to make him and his players better next term.