Manchester City could be faced by ‘financial issue’ next season warns Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has issued a clear warning that poor results in the Premier League could leave Manchester City with a ‘financial issue’ in the near future.

The reigning Premier League champions have endured their worst run of form under the Catalan coach since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium back in 2016 over the last few months, putting them in a precarious position across competitions.

Having won just two matches in all competitions over their last 14 games, City find themselves languishing in 22nd position in the UEFA Champions League, and outside of the Premier League’s top-four places at present.

The risk of a potential early exit from Europe’s premier club competition and an absence from the Champions League qualification places in the English top-flight is concerning to say the least, and is a possibility that has been addressed within the club’s first-team set-up.

Speaking during a recent press conference, manager Pep Guardiola was quizzed on the damning possibility of City missing out on Champions League action next season, should their unpredictably form continue to bring about poor results.

“Yeah, financially it would be an issue, of course it is,” warned Guardiola, who will be hoping that 2025 marks the start of a revival in Manchester City’s domestic and continental campaigns.

“But it’s not just that,” he continued. “When I said this before, the people laughed. Yeah, it’s presumptuous, you know. Winning the Premier League and I said, ‘Ah the Champions League is a big success’, I know it is!

“Because it happened in the clubs in this country for many, many years like they were dominant in this club and after had been many, many years not qualifying for the Champions League.

“I think the only team has been 11 or 12 years being in the Champions League every season has been Man City. Now we are at risk (of not qualifying), of course we are! Definitely we are. We have to get points and win games and games, otherwise we will not qualify for the Champions League.”

Guardiola continued on the possibility of missing out of European’s top-ranking club competition, “If we don’t qualify, it’s because we don’t deserve it.

“Because we were not prepared, because we had a lot of problems and we didn’t solve those problems and didn’t find a way to win games, but of course there are a lot of contenders to be there.

“For every club it’s so important, and right now we are out, and if we don’t win games we will be out!”

Thankfully for Manchester City’s players and supporters, the club managed to record their first away win in 70 days during the final game of 2024, giving them plenty of hope of a second-half turnaround in form and performances this season.

City kick-off their 2025 schedule with a home meeting against West Ham United in the Premier League, before the FA Cup returns for another campaign as League Two’s Salford City visit the Etihad Stadium in the third round of the competition.