Pep Guardiola says Manchester City 'do not deserve' FIFA Club World Cup bonus for win - 'Not even a watch'
Published 28/03/2025 at 19:24 GMT
Manchester City's attention will turn to the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA this summer. But Pep Guardiola has claimed the club's staff and players should not get a bonus if they defend the trophy after a disappointing campaign both domestically and in Europe. The Premier League champions face Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
Guardiola: We do not deserve a bonus for Club World Cup, not even a watch
Video credit: SNTV
Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City players and staff "do not deserve" a financial reward if they win this year's FIFA Club World Cup.
City will face Juventus, Wydad AC and Al Ain in the group stage of the competition in the USA this June, having won the last edition of the old format in 2023.
But Guardiola suggested his side's underperformance this season will overshadow any success in the Club World Cup.
"We don't deserve it this season. We don't deserve a bonus this season," he said in his pre-match press conference ahead of City's FA Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth.
"A bonus is [for] if you win - I do not know how much. You go there, and it is for the club. The managers, staff, backroom staff, players - we do not deserve [it]. Not even a watch."
City remain in contention for domestic silverware via the FA Cup, and they have been boosted by the return to training of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who has been out of action with an ACL injury since September.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/21/4111773-83373113-2560-1440.jpg)
Does Guardiola ‘regret’ signing new Man City deal?
Video credit: TNT Sports
But Guardiola made clear the midfielder will not be rushed back.
"Listen, it would be nice if he could play tomorrow. But do not make a wrong decision right now, and make a step back," the City boss said.
"He is injured for, the doctor said, seven-and-a-half, eight months. So we have arrived to six, six-and-a-half [months].
"He is behaving really well on the pitch already. But the competition is completely different. We will see, step by step.
"I rely a lot on his work. But [also] what the doctor says, his physios say, and not in one week or two weeks - you have to target the [Club] World Cup - and after we are going to lose him for many, many months again. So we have to be sure that he is fine, and after, he will start to be involved."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/08/4106829-83274228-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Forest edge closer to top-four finish with battling win over Man City
Video credit: TNT Sports
Rodri's absence has been keenly felt in a season where City have been off the pace in the Premier League title race and eliminated prematurely in both the UEFA Champions League and Carabao Cup.
The priority now, Guardiola said, is to benefit from a difficult season and secure a place in next year's Champions League.
"In the good moments, always you learn," he added. "In the bad moments as well, we learn.
"Sometimes the experiences can happen many, many times and if you do not learn, we will have the [same] problems again and again.
"So, of course, it is a good lesson for me personally and I have learned a lot. Hopefully, for the club as well.
"When I said in the past - and the people said 'how naive is Pep', and this kind of thing - qualification for the Champions League is a huge success. The people did not believe me. Now they believe me."
Watch and stream the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
React to this story
Share this article
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement