Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he can understand Jurgen Klopp's criticism of the new Club World Cup format, which he admits could "destroy" his players at some point in the 2025/26 season.
Former Liverpool manager Klopp said recently that it was a "pointless" tournament and called it the "worst idea ever implemented in football". Though Guardiola was hardly likely to agree given his team is in the middle of competing in the competition in the US, the Manchester City head coach did concede that was unsure what the impacts would be moving forward.
"I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times. I know where his idea comes from," Guardiola said. "We fought a lot in England, and also when we went to UEFA meetings, and especially when we discussed the Premier League calendar, and how to add more quality to it.
"(We discussed) giving the managers and players more rest, because that’s how you add more quality. So his comments (on the Club World Cup) didn’t surprise me a lot.
"I understand him. I respect him. I’ve had an incredible relationship with Jurgen for many years as rivals. Now he’s stepped back from that position [as a manager], and I understand his argument, because I would defend his argument as well.
"At the same time, as managers, we are in a job. We follow the FIFA, UEFA, Premier League or Serie A rules. As managers, we don’t organize the competitions. Once we are here, we are proud."
Pep Guardiola showed his true colours in a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool admission.
(Image: Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
While Liverpool has a free summer, with pre-season beginning a week tomorrow, by which time Manchester City could still have two Club World Cup games remaining, Guardiola's side is still having to perform.
At some point next season, it seems inevitable that will catch up with the players.
"I try not to think about it, otherwise I would get too anxious," Guardiola added. "Instead, I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have, the competition, and we try to win it.
"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 will see.
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"Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we are exhausted and the World Cup has destroyed us. I don’t know but it’s the first time in our lives that this has happened.
"Mentally, I think in the past the players have played in World Cups or European Championships for their national teams so it happens sometimes. You need a rest mentally sometimes, you can recover and then we will see when we come back."
Liverpool.com says: Both the Reds and Arsenal will have an advantage over Manchester City at some point next season in terms of tiredness. Most of Guardiola's players are being asked to play almost a full 12 months without stopping.
That kind of relentless schedule will come back to bite them at some point. The question, really, is whether that happens earlier or later in the season, and who gets the momentum needed to win the Premier League title at the right time.