Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted concerns about the club’s potential failure to qualify for the Champions League amid a worrying slump in form.
Speaking ahead of City’s Boxing Day clash against Everton, Guardiola emphasised the financial and sporting implications of missing out on Europe’s premier competition.
“Financial is an issue, of course it is,” he said, “but it’s not just that. Now we’re at risk, of course we are, definitely. When I said before [this could happen], people laughed. It’s presumptuous: us winning the Premier League,” The Guardian UK quoted him as saying on Thursday.
He added, “They said ‘Ah, qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success.’ I know it can happen because it happens with clubs in this country. They were dominant for many years and, after many years, not qualifying for the Champions League.”
City, who have competed in the Champions League for 14 consecutive seasons, currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, four points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola acknowledged the fierce competition for European spots and admitted that City’s current struggles reflect deeper issues.
“The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past 11 or 12 years has been Man City… if we don’t qualify, it is because we don’t deserve it.
“Because we were not prepared, because we had a lot of problems and didn’t solve those problems and find a way to win games. There are a lot of contenders to be there. For every club it is so important and if we are not winning games, we will be out,” he said.
Despite the poor form—just one win in their last 12 matches—Guardiola said he feels supported by City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, sporting director Txiki Begiristain, and chief executive Ferran Soriano.
“Every week we talk. I feel incredibly supported. We behaved like this in the first season maybe but it was completely different [when City won nothing]. We both know it: when there’s a moment something wrong happens then we are going to take decisions,” he stated.
City are also eyeing fifth place as a potential lifeline for Champions League qualification, as UEFA is offering additional spots to top-performing leagues this season.
However, Guardiola remains concerned about their current standing, emphasising the need for immediate improvement.
