Getting to the top positions could be easy but maintaining that top spot, that where the difficulties are. For the first time in a decade in the English top flight, Man City retained the title.
Man City finished the season on 98 points. That’s the second highest points tally in Premier League history after City broke the 100-point mark last year.
Of course, City’s season still isn’t over either. They face Watford in the FA Cup final with a chance to wrap up a domestic treble.
So what angle is Martin Samuel flagging up this Tuesday? City’s supposed inevitable demise.
Man United’s history & what that means for City
Samuel starts off by reminding readers that Man United used to be considered “golden”.
However the mood quickly changed when “(Sir Alex) Ferguson left and the entire edifice crumbled.”
So how does Man United’s history relate to what’s going on at Man City? Samuel argues:
Those worrying that Manchester City’s rule is permanent after back-to-back titles and 198 points over two years, can relax. In football – certainly in English football – nothing is for ever.
Nothing but blue sky for @ManCity Congratulations! #ChooseBlue #ChooseWell #ManCity pic.twitter.com/B5L8NwAht1
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) May 14, 2019
If Manchester United, a club with every advantage of size, wealth and privilege can be plunged into a relative wilderness, then City’s dominance cannot last, either.
So when does Samuel predict that City’s regression will start?
The pundit believes that City’s backslide will likely occur when they are next forced to change manager:
One day, Pep Guardiola will depart. How do they replace him; indeed, who could replace him?
Samuel closes out his op-ed with a final dig at Man City.
While most are cooing over their achievements this season, Samuel is rather sniffier about all the plaudits being handed out:
Even if City were to win again next season, they would just be equalling the feats of Huddersfield (1923-26), Arsenal (1932-35), Liverpool (1981-84) and Manchester United (1998-2001 and 2006-09). Only a fourth victory would be unprecedented.