Pep: CWC ‘not perfect,’ but rival clubs are envious

Guardiola’s Mixed Feelings on the CWC

Pep Guardiola has candidly acknowledged that taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup could potentially disrupt Manchester City’s season. Nevertheless, he suggested that rival clubs who aren’t competing might feel envious of their presence in the tournament.

Upcoming Challenge Against Al Hilal

This Monday, City will face Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals. Guardiola and his squad have been in the United States for over two weeks, and if they make it to the final in New York on July 13, they could be away for another two weeks.

Concerns About the Future

Guardiola expressed uncertainty about how the tournament will affect his players next season, which kicks off on August 15. He noted, “After this, let’s see what happens. We can take advantage of the rest period that the Premier League allows us, and then we will reassess.” He added, “In November, December, or January, we might find ourselves in a tough spot, completely drained by the World Cup. This is uncharted territory for us.”

His former rival, Jurgen Klopp, has been vocal against the Club World Cup, calling it a “meaningless competition.” Klopp, currently in charge of global soccer for Red Bull, warned that teams participating could face unprecedented injuries next season. Guardiola resonated with some of Klopp’s criticisms but hinted that many clubs would envy City’s current situation.

He remarked, “I’ve had numerous discussions with Jurgen and understand his perspective. While I respect his views, many clubs would love to be in our position, enjoying the media attention and support that comes with it. Sure, it’s not the perfect scenario for a manager. Would I prefer to have two months to prepare for the upcoming season? Absolutely. But we must embrace our reality and give our best performance here.”