Pep Guardiola admits he’s involved in regards to the potential toll the expanded Membership World Cup may tackle his Manchester Metropolis squad, though he did go on to confess a way of pleasure in competing.
Metropolis are set to face Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia on Monday of their first step towards probably reaching the ultimate. The squad has already been in america for over two weeks, and will they go all the best way, the journey may stretch near a full month.
With the 2025-26 Premier League season starting on August 15, Guardiola admitted he’s not sure what impression the prolonged summer time marketing campaign could have on his gamers.
“After this, let’s see what occurs,” stated Guardiola. “Let’s see what occurs after the ultimate. We are able to relaxation and take the time that the Premier League has allowed us to relaxation after which we’ll see.
“Perhaps in November, December or January, it is going to be a catastrophe, we’re exhausted and the World Cup has destroyed us. I don’t know, but it surely’s the primary time in our lives that this has occurred.
“Mentally, I feel prior to now the gamers have performed in World Cups or European Championships for his or her nationwide groups, so it occurs generally. You want a relaxation mentally generally, you possibly can recuperate after which we’ll see once we come again.”
One of many greatest criticisms of the expanded match has come from former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who just lately referred to as the brand new format “a pointless competitors” and warned it may result in “accidents like by no means earlier than.”
Now in a non-coaching position as head of worldwide soccer for Pink Bull, Klopp’s warnings echo considerations from others within the sport – and Guardiola, although nonetheless competing, admitted he noticed validity in them.
“The worst concept ever applied in soccer.” 🫠
Pep responds to Klopp’s feedback in regards to the Membership World Cup…#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/KwWovXzMOw
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 30, 2025
“Pay attention, I fought loads with Jurgen many, many instances,” Guardiola stated.
“I do know the place his concept comes from. His feedback [on the Club World Cup] didn’t shock me loads. I perceive him. I respect him. Now, he’s stepped again from that place [as a manager] and I perceive his argument, as a result of I’d defend his argument, as effectively.”
Nonetheless, Guardiola additionally hinted that criticism from some quarters is likely to be tinged with jealousy over Metropolis’s presence on the occasion.
“As managers, we don’t organise the competitions. As soon as we’re right here, we’re proud. Many, many groups complain about these competitions as a result of they aren’t right here; in any other case, they may love being right here.
“They’d have their media and supporters right here, and there could be revenue to be right here and they might be completely satisfied to be right here.
“In fact, it’s not an excellent state of affairs for the supervisor. Would I like to have two months to organize for subsequent season? Sure. Would I like to be refreshed for subsequent season? Sure.
“However it’s what it’s. And we deserve what we’ve performed prior to now to be right here. As soon as we’re right here, let’s do our greatest doable.”