Pep Guardiola issues heartfelt thank you to Manchester City for crucial Club World Cup decision | OneFootball

Manchester City’s key decision makers have received praise from Pep Guardiola over their choice of base at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

The Premier League giants are currently competing in the United States for the title of World Champions after their UEFA Champions League success of 2023 earned them a place in the newly-expanded global club tournament.

The initial group stage of the competition saw Manchester City visit three different stadiums throughout the USA, taking on Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Al Ain in Atlanta, before rounding off that particular phase of the tournament in Orlando against Juventus.

City have opted for the strategy of not staying overnight at their destinations however, instead returning immediately to their training base in Boca Raton, Florida with familiarity and comfort in mind for the players and staff.

Speaking to broadcasters from Florida this week, manager Pep Guardiola was keen to credit Manchester City for the role they played when it came to decision making over where to stay in the United States for the tournament, and how that has affected team bonding.

“I say thank you to Man City for the place they chose to be together [at the FIFA Club World Cup]; it’s in front of the sea, the vibe is really good, we trained really good, and after we play golf, go to the beach, yoga – whatever they want,” Guardiola said.

“I think they [the players] are together a lot, they reconnect, and we talked about exactly what we need to not repeat the season we had last season,” he added, before reflecting on the downfalls of last season despite confidence around the club’s preparation last August.

“I have the feeling last season the squad was really good, but we had a thousand million injuries. Look at today [vs Juventus], Rodri, on the pitch! When you lose the best player in the world, always you miss him.

“But today I had the feeling every player had the feeling, ‘I have to play good otherwise my mate is going to play my position!’ When that happens, it’s really, really good!”

Pep Guardiola will be hoping that the good vibe within the Manchester City camp and fine form built on the pitch at the tournament so far can be transferred into the knockout rounds of the competition.

City return to the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida in the early hours of Tuesday morning for viewers in the United Kingdom to take on Al Ain, with either Inter or Fluminense awaiting in the quarter-finals.