- Erling Haaland issues rallying call
- Explains how City ought to feel
- Reflects on missed Premier League chance
Erling Haaland has offered a critical self-assessment of Manchester City after a Premier League campaign which saw the team fall short.
Man City knew that three points were required against Bournemouth to win the league title, but were only able to muster up a draw.
It is these results which have cost the Citizens this season. Indeed, while Arsenal have lost just as many matches as City, their nine draws have seen 18 points disappear.
As a result, the Premier League title race is over, despite Man City still having one final match to play against Aston Villa.
Erling Haaland wants to use Premier League failure as motivation
Pep Guardiola’s players were visibly disappointed and subdued after the game on Tuesday night, but Erling Haaland had a different look.
There was clear anger and frustration mixed with his own disappointment, and he is aiming to use this to come back stronger next season.
Haaland told City Studios: “In the end, every game in the Premier League is difficult. We tried. It wasn’t enough.
“The whole club should use this as motivation now. We should be angry, we should feel a fire inside our belly because it’s not good enough.
“It’s gone two years now, it feels like forever. We’re going to do everything we can, everyone that will be here next season, to win the league.”
Man City are not used to two-year Premier League title gaps
Haaland tasted Premier League success in his opening two seasons at Man City and before that, they won the top flight in five of the previous six campaigns.
In fact, this is the first time City have ever gone two seasons in a row without winning the Premier League under Guardiola’s management.
The domestic double at least means the Sky Blues have built back stronger after a really poor 2024/25 season, but this cannot make up for losing out on the biggest titles.
Haaland did not take long to become a champion of England after joining Man City, winning the title in his first season. He also won the Champions League that year too.
Therefore, this run without a league title is always going to feel frustrating. Still, if City can use it to give themselves motivation for next season, who knows what could happen in the future!
Haaland is not responsible for title collapse
There have been periods when Haaland has not been at his best this season, but he has still managed to outscore every other player in the Premier League.
The longest the striker has gone without registering a league goal contribution is three successive matches, highlighting his consistency.
And Haaland has continued to show up when it matters. He has scored in his five most recent Premier League starts, and registered the only assist of the FA Cup final.
If City are to make another push for the title next season, Haaland will be at the forefront of it. Winning the golden boot is all well and good, but he has been clear that making Man City successful is what matters to him the most.
