Guardiola concerned about Man City could missing out on UCL spot after winless run
Pep Guardiola contends that Manchester City’s recent streak without a victory was a crucial phase, emphasizing the necessity for his players to perceive this downturn as an opportunity for introspection.
He passionately urged his team to elevate their performance, cautioning that failure to do so might jeopardize their qualification for the Champions League.
City’s current four-game winless streak in the Premier League, a first since Guardiola’s inaugural season at the Etihad, has prompted the manager to acknowledge the team’s difficulties, especially after a subpar showing against Aston Villa.
Reflecting on the past month, Guardiola expressed that he sensed the team required a wake-up call before the slump, emphasizing the importance of realizing the magnitude of their previous accomplishments and positioning themselves to defend their titles in the ongoing season.
“In those moments I’m positive, mentally I’m so strong,” he began, explaining how he needed the wake-up call just as much as his players.
“As a manager I sometimes need that. I need that challenge. I would say something: I think for everyone it is good, living what we are living. I would say I think it’s necessary to live that.
“We’ve lived it many, many times. For a long time, we’ve lived [comfortable] like a cat and how good we are. We need it to say, ‘guys, this business, it’s terrible. It’s terrible. You are unbeatable and then, oh my God, you cannot win one game. From nothing.’ I said in the big moments, I realised that.
“Maybe for myself first, I need that challenge to prove myself, that I’m a good manager. To help the players overcome that situation. For the players it’s a good challenge to say, ‘oh my God, Aston Villa were miles better than all of us.’ That is the only thing that can put it in the right place.”
Guardiola issued a cautionary note, suggesting that Manchester City, currently holding the fourth position, might encounter genuine difficulties in securing a spot for the Champions League in the upcoming season.
Despite this warning, he expressed confidence in his club’s ability to bounce back if they were to confront prolonged challenges.
“The club, all the organisation, [know] we can be out of the Champions League next season, we have to work hard,” he continued.
“We need it after what happened in the last years. As soon as possible we’ll realise and we come out of here quicker.
“Otherwise nothing is going to change. Next season it will be back. We’re still in December, not even finished the first round, we have a lot of games to play.
“The club needed it. One month ago I thought the club needed a shake, to be shaken. The bad results can help you to live that. I’m talking about just the bad results, see how difficult is what we have done and what will be. Just the bad results help you to understand it.
“We make standards that people want to be there. I see the hunger in the opponents. I see it. To recover that, we have to lose. The problem is if you lose, you lose competitions. It’s a problem, next season we will be back. When you lose games, is necessary. It’s necessary to live that.
“To realise that it’s not my words can help or the accomplishments. It’s themselves on the pitch to say, ‘oh my god, the opponents are much better.’ After, make a step forward. It’s the only way.”
Guardiola concerned about Man City could missing out on UCL spot after winless run