Manchester City were dumped out of the Club World Cup days after Pep Guardiola defended comments made by former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola saw his Man City side dumped out of the Club World Cup by Al-Hilal.
(Image: Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manchester City were dumped out of the Club World Cup after a shock defeat to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, just days after Pep Guardiola agreed with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. In the build-up to the encounter, the Catalan tactician admitted that his side could burn out by the turn of the year.
The Premier League challengers exit the competition at the round of 16 stage after their 4-3 disappointment in extra-time to Simone Inzaghi's side. City took the lead through Bernardo Silva but were forced to come from behind twice to level but were downed by Marcos Leonardo.
City will depart the United States, having played three group stage matches and their knockout encounter, before their Premier League campaign begins away at Wolves on August 16.
During their exit, key man Rodri was forced off with an injury with the Premier League campaign just over a month away.
Despite the disappointment, Guardiola said his side will 'rest their minds' before looking to usurp Liverpool from the Premier League summit.
“It is a pity. We have been on incredible journey together and were in a good place. The vibe was really good," he said.
“I cannot thank the players enough for training and playing how they have been.
“But it was a difficult game. The margins were minimal. We created a lot and (Yassine) Bounou made incredible saves but we were so open."
The 54-year-old added: "It's too early to say [if City can challenge], I saw many many good things that I didn't see in the past. Especially where we were, the relations with the players, it's sadness because I felt we were happy here.
"The only regret is that we allowed them to run a little bit more, the team that defended so deep, the chances that we created, Bono made a lot of saves, you have to score, to be clinical, we created a lot but couldn't score the goals we deserved.
"I had the feeling we could go through."
Guardiola rushed to defend comments made by Klopp after he lamented the revamped competition during their preparations for their round of 16 encounter.
"Listen, 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 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 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 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."
Klopp, who is now head of global football at Red Bull, expressed his fear for players over reaching breaking-point for their physical fitness.
The German was the champion for change during his time in the Premier League, fighting for a winter break when he arrived in England.
He said: "It's all about the game and not the surrounding events - and that's why the Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard.
"People who have never had or do not have anything to do with day-to-day business anymore are coming up with something.
"There is insane money for participating, but it's also not for every club.
"Last year it was the Copa [America] and the European Championship, this year it's the Club World Cup, and next year the World Cup. That means no real recovery for the players involved, neither physically nor mentally.
"I have serious fears, that players will suffer injuries they've never had before next season. If not next season, then it will happen at the World Cup or afterwards," Klopp added.
"We constantly expect the players to go into every game as if it were their last. We tell them that 70 or 75 times a year. But it can't go on like this.
"We have to make sure they have breaks, because if they don't get them, they won't be able to deliver top performances - and if they can't achieve that anymore, the entire product loses value."