Pep Guardiola admitted to not knowing the impact the Club World Cup will have on Manchester City next season and claimed it could ‘destroy’ them physically.
City head into the last 16 with the Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal in Orlando having been top scorers across the group stage and with a more harmonious camp than last term.
Guardiola believes the jaunt to America, where $133million (£97m) is on offer for the ultimate winners, has been beneficial in planning for another assault on the Premier League.
Yet some of his stars had a matter of days off between the June international window and FIFA’s new competition, with the league campaign starting a month after the final.
Asked if the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal will possess an advantage in the title race, Guardiola said: ‘I try not to think about it, otherwise I will be so anxious. I’m really pleased against Juventus, to go through, but most importantly is the fact that the players can visualize, “oh, we can do it again”.
‘We can be an aggressive team with the ball, without the ball. After the competition, we will rest the time the Premier League allowed us to rest.
Pep Guardiola admitted to not knowing the impact the Club World Cup will have on Man City
Erling Haaland and Co have led City into the last 16, where they take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal
The 2025/26 Premier League campaign kicks off just a month after the Club World Cup final
‘And then game by game, month by month, we will see. And maybe in November, December, January… we are a disaster. We are exhausted. The World Cup destroyed us. I don’t know, but it’s the first time in our life that that’s happened.
‘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 also reacted to Jurgen Klopp criticizing the Club World Cup as the ‘worst idea ever’ over the weekend, with the former Liverpool boss adding his voice to calls for a major change to the schedule of elite players.
The Catalan revealed he wasn’t surprised by the German’s comments and would offer similar were City not here.
‘I know where his idea comes from,’ Guardiola added. ‘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.
‘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.’
