Pep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City could miss out on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season due to their poor run of form in the Premier League.
City, who have been a regular fixture in Europe’s top club competition for 14 straight seasons, are currently seventh in the table. They are 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool and four points behind Nottingham Forest, who sit in fourth—the final Champions League qualification spot.
The reigning champions have struggled in recent weeks, winning just one of their last eight league games. Guardiola’s concerns highlight the challenges his side face to secure a top-four finish and extend their streak of playing in the Champions League.
QUOTES:
Speaking ahead of their match against Everton, Guardiola reflected on the importance of Champions League qualification:
“When I said before, people laughed. They said, ‘qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success.’ But I know it because it happens with clubs in this country.”
He added:
“There were clubs that dominated for many years, and then they spent many years not qualifying for the Champions League. The one team that has consistently been in the Champions League in recent years is Manchester City. Now we are at risk, of course we are.”
RECALL:
This situation is unfamiliar for Guardiola’s City, who have set the standard in English football with their consistent performances over the past decade.
However, this season’s struggles have brought back memories of a time before Guardiola, when City last failed to finish in the top four during the 2009/10 campaign.
The club has become synonymous with success in both domestic and European competitions under Guardiola, winning multiple Premier League titles and reaching two Champions League finals in recent years.
CITATIONS:
City will look to get back on track when they host Everton later today, followed by an away trip to Leicester City on December 29. These games are now critical as they aim to recover lost ground in the race for the top four.
Guardiola’s remarks serve as a reminder of the highly competitive nature of the Premier League, where even the most dominant teams can face unexpected challenges.
KEEP IN MIND:
Manchester City’s recent dip in form has put their Champions League hopes under threat. With Guardiola acknowledging the pressure, City’s upcoming games could define their season and their place in Europe’s elite competition.
