I hope Guardiola gets it better this time around, he should have learned from his mistake and what happened to Man City exposed the club and showed that people praised it too much. People thought every angle you play in Man City has an equal or better replacement, but injury and lack of feat this season have proven that wrong. However, your last part makes the most sense, Guardiola's side might have bought, planned to dispose and even bought more later, but this season is gone, I don't know how Man City can finish the first or second position again, so let's save the higher praise in action till then, that's if he ever got it right again.
I believe there is going to be a great change in the club next season, the new players are really trying to prove there worth and I believe the club will fare more better next season. It is beyond the bounds of possibilities for Manchester city to finish first position this season because the difference in point between Manchester city and Liverpool that is topping the premier league is really much. However there focus now should be on how to be among the top four, since the chances of them topping the league this season is out for them, and also there next focus should be on how to win the FA Cup and use that to consolidate there losses this season and prepare fully for next season.
If Manchester City is still in the FA cup then they should focus there and try very hard to maintain there top 4 spot in the English premier league because for them finishing second in the league is still impossible more or less winning the English premier league this season, they should prepare their self very well next season I believe injuries really spoiled Manchester City game this season after doing well in the begining of the season Manchester City started losing game back to back any team were winning them .
Manchester City has been dominating the English league in the past season so if they are not doing well is because they have been doing before I believe this season is a different season for the citizens.