**Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is looking forward to switching off as best as possible in the upcoming festive break.**
City maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal this weekend as a brace from Erling Haaland and a fine goal from Tijjani Reijnders helped the Blues to a comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola’s side finished August languishing in the bottom half of the table but have since well and truly turned a corner to cut the gap to the Gunners and claw their way back into the conversation for a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.
After picking up their seventh successive win in all competitions on Saturday afternoon, Manchester City next face trips to Nottingham Forest and Sunderland over Christmas and New Year’s – ahead of a monumental month of fixtures wherein they will come up against each of Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool.
With no midweek cup commitments, Guardiola has decided to give his squad a break to unwind from the relentlessness of their ever-demanding schedule. On having a week-long break until Forest, Guardiola said: “No, give me more days! Tomorrow (Sunday) training,” in a press conference after the win over West Ham.
“The players asked me for a day off tomorrow (on Sunday). I said, ‘No! Because you didn’t play good enough!’. So tomorrow (Sunday) – recovery, train the guys that didn’t play and after (that), three days off. Then two days to prepare Nottingham Forest.”
Guardiola was further quizzed on whether the break will give him the chance to do more work with his squad in training. “When can I train? Tell me, when? Next week we are holidays! I don’t want to see them. Holidays, be with family and good champagne,” the 54-year-old added, ordering his players to rest and recharge.
City are in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, wherein they will face Newcastle over two legs, and are in pole position to avoid play-offs to qualify for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 stage directly from the group-stage. The jury remains out on whether the Blues can sustain their charge for silverware as the campaign progresses, however.
On how is planning to spend his three days off this week, Guardiola said: “Tomorrow (Sunday), I’m going to Barcelona. I recommend you to come there. The food is top!”
City are used to playing every three days as the New Year approaches. “No, it depends on the schedule; at this time always I give as much (time off),” Guardiola added.
“Listen, I learned from in England. When I arrived, I learned that as much days as you can give off, give them! The schedule is so tight and the players have to forget.
“The important (thing) is to arrive in the moment of the game fresh and fit in the legs – that’s why you have to recover. And the players have to go with their families, forget football. I will work for them, as always.”
On the importance of disconnecting for him and his squad over the festive period, Guardiola said: “Yeah, of course it’s good! Do you know for them, to see the manager every day?! It’s so tough!”
Guardiola has clarified he is planning to stay as Manchester City manager next season following reports this week that suggested that the Catalan could step down a year in advance from when his current deal at the Etihad Stadium expires in 2027.