Man City’s Guardiola defends CWC: Teams ‘might love being here’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended the Club World Cup and also admitted that taking part in the tournament could be a disaster for the club as it could wear out the players. The Sky Blues didn’t have a great run in the previous season and they would look to turn the tables.

City face Saudi side Al Hilal here on Monday for a place in the quarterfinals. Guardiola said the other clubs, which are not participating in CWC, are feeling jealous.

City can spend the next two weeks in the USA if they qualify for the final of the competition.

“After this, let’s see what happens,” said Guardiola. “Let’s see what happens after the final. We can rest and take the time that the Premier League has allowed us to rest and then we will see.

“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, but it’s the first time in our lives that this has happened.

“Mentally, I think in the past the players have played in World Cups or European Championships for their national teams, so it happens sometimes. You need a rest mentally sometimes, you can recover and then we will see when we come back.”

On the other hand, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has rated Club World Cup as a pointless tournament. The German manager said the clubs that are participating in the competition could see major injuries in the next season.

“Listen, I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times,” Guardiola said. “I know where his idea comes from. His comments [on the Club World Cup] didn’t surprise me a lot. I understand him. I respect him. Now, he’s stepped back from that position [as a manager] and I understand his argument, because I would defend his argument, as well.

“As managers, we don’t organize the competitions. 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,” he continued. “Of course, 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.”