Erling Haaland has opened up on Manchester City’s surprising slump last season.
The striker appeared on The Rest Is Football podcast and suggested the team struggled with a clear mentality shift after years of dominance.
City finished third and ended the campaign 13 points behind champions Liverpool.
Haaland explained that injuries played a part but insisted they were not the only factor.
“It’s injuries, first of all,” he said. “I don’t want to blame injuries and I’m not doing it. I’m just saying it was a part of it.”
He admitted that sustaining the hunger to win becomes harder after repeated success.
“I think it’s just so difficult to maintain and to keep it up after winning. There is something psychologically, if you haven’t won it for 25 years, compared if you’ve been winning it for the last four years, for example.”
Haaland stressed that human nature naturally affects the squad’s mindset.
“I think it’s just in our human nature to have a different kind of mentality of it. And it’s so difficult to maintain and to keep it up after doing something great, even though there’s nothing better.”
The striker reflected on City’s historic achievements, including the treble and four consecutive league titles.
“When we win the treble, to be able to win four in a row, this was incredible. This was amazing. And it will be spoken about for the next 100 years because I don’t think anyone will do it.”
His honesty highlights how even elite sides struggle to stay mentally sharp season after season.
The Cityzens now look to regain their edge as they push for another comeback campaign.
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