Pep Guardiola opens up on the damage the Club World Cup has caused them ahead of the commencement of the 2025/26 Premier League season
Pep Guardiola is hopeful that Manchester City’s 2025-26 campaign will not be derailed by fatigue accumulated from the Club World Cup.
City are into the last 16 of the first edition of FIFA’s newly expanded competition.
ALSO READ: Chelsea sack director over ‘inappropriate’ texts
They take on Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal on Monday in Orlando.
The timing of the competition, immediately off the back of a draining 2024-25 European season, has drawn criticism, while the severe heat in the United States has also been an issue.
And Guardiola conceded he could not be sure how City’s campaign at the Club World Cup would impact their performances come next season.
“I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have, the competition, and we try to win it,” Guardiola said.
“The most important thing is to recover and find within ourselves what we were. That’s my main target in this tournament.
“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.
“After this, let’s see what happens. Let’s see what happens after the final. We will rest for the time the Premier League allow us.
“Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster. We are exhausted, and the World Cup has destroyed us.
“I don’t know, it’s the first time in our lives that this has happened. We will see when we come back.”
City endured a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing third in the Premier League and losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.
