Pep Guardiola admits he fears the Club World Cup could 'destroy' Manchester City's Premier League title pursuit as he warned about a possible 'disaster' next season
09:50, 30 Jun 2025
Pep Guardiola fears the Club World Cup may derail Manchester City's Premier League ambitions and has responded to Jurgen Klopp's criticism of the tournament
Pep Guardiola fears the Club World Cup may derail Manchester City's Premier League ambitions and has responded to Jurgen Klopp's criticism of the tournament
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has voiced concerns over a "disaster" at the Club World Cup that could "destroy" their upcoming season.
Fears were raised that the tournament may negatively impact City's title chances due to lack of proper rest, and Guardiola admits it could leave his players worn out. Even with England manager Thomas Tuchel warning that rival teams Liverpool and Arsenal may gain an edge in the upcoming title race, Guardiola is determined to focus on positivity and rejuvenating his squad in the US after they failed to clinch any silverware last term.
On the issue, Guardiola said: "After this, let's see what happens. We can rest and take the time that the Premier League has allowed us to rest and then we will see. Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we are exhausted and the [Club] 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.
"But I try not to think about it otherwise I would get too anxious. Instead, I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have. The most important thing is to recover to find within ourselves what we were. That's my main target in this tournament.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JUNE 29: Pep Guardiola, Head Coach of Manchester City, speaks during the Press Conference ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match against Al Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Justin Setterfield - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Guardiola raised fears about the additional gametime(Image: Justin Setterfield - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
Article continues below
"I want the players to rediscover themselves, to visualise the way we play when they train, play like we can in those training sessions and then take that into the games so they can say: 'Oh, this is what we were.'
"I want them to feel that this is our path again to be competitive like we have been in eight of the last nine years. That was incredible and this is the main target from the competition."
Guardiola also responded to former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's criticism of the Club World Cup, dismissing it as "the worst idea ever" due to its impact on the fixture schedule and labelling it a money-making scheme.
Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£0
DAZN
Get DAZN here
The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.
The Spanish coach responded: "Listen, I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times. I know where his idea comes from. We fought a lot in England, and also when we went to the 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.
ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 26: Manchester City Head Coach Pep Guardiola talks to Manchester City Midfielder Bernardo Silva (20) at a water break during a FIFA Club World Cup Group G Juventus FC v Manchester City at the Camping World Stadium on June 26, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
City are eyeing Club World Cup glory(Image: Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"We follow the FIFA, UEFA, Premier League or Serie A rules. As managers, we don't organise the competitions. Once we are here, we are proud. Many, many teams complain about these competitions because they are not here, otherwise they might love being here.
"They would have their media and supporters here, and there would be income to be here, and they would be happy to be here. Of course, it's not an ideal situation for the manager.
"Would I love to have two months to prepare for next season? Yes. Would I love to be refreshed 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 possible."
Guardiola expressed satisfaction with his team's performance against Juventus, but stressed the bigger picture of regaining their competitive edge.
He said: "I was really pleased to go through against Juventus but more important is the fact that the players can visualise that they can do it again, they can compete again, be a competitive team again and be that incredible, fantastic and aggressive team that we have been.
Article continues below
"They have been amazing and they have already shown that against Juventus who are an amazing team who went out of the Champions League in the quarter finals and they have an incredible team and squad."