Guardiola: Club World Cup “not ideal”, but other clubs envy City

ORLANDO – Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that participating in the FIFA Club World Cup could “ruin” Manchester City’s season, although he hinted that other non-participating clubs feel envy. The City will face Al Hilal Saudi on Monday in Orlando, seeking a place in the quarter-finals. Guardiola and his players have been in the United States for more than two weeks and could spend another two weeks away if they reach the final in New York on July 13. The Spanish coach expressed uncertainty about how his players will react next season, which begins on August 15, given that this is the first edition of the expanded version of the Club World Cup.

After this, let’s see what happens. Let’s see what happens after the final. We can rest and take the time that the Premier League has allowed us to rest and then we’ll see.

Pep Guardiola

Guardiola also commented on the possibility that the tournament will affect the team’s performance in the future.

Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we will be exhausted and the World Cup will have destroyed us. I don’t know, but it’s the first time in our lives that this has happened.

Pep Guardiola

The coach highlighted the importance of mental rest for the players, comparing it to participation in World Cups or European Championships with their national teams. Jurgen Klopp, former Liverpool coach, has been a fierce critic of the Club World Cup, calling it a “useless competition”.

Klopp predicted that the clubs involved could suffer “injuries like never before” next season. When asked about Klopp’s comments, Guardiola admitted to agreeing with some of his former rival’s points.

Listen, I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times. I know where his idea comes from. His comments [about the Club World Cup] didn’t surprise me much. I understand it. I respect it.

Pep Guardiola

Guardiola also suggested that other clubs would wish to be in City’s position.

Many, many teams complain about these competitions because they are not here, otherwise, they would love to be here. They would have their media and followers here, and there would be revenue from being here, and they would be happy to be here.

Pep Guardiola

The coach concluded by acknowledging the challenges, but also the pride of being in the tournament.

Of course, it’s not an ideal situation for the coach. Would I love to have two months to prepare for next season? Yes. Would I love to be renewed for next season? Yes. But it is what it is. And we deserve what we have done in the past to be here. Once we are here, let’s do our best.

Pep Guardiola