'Club World Cup has destroyed us': Pep Guardiola fears for Man City season after Jurgen Klopp comments | OneFootball

The manager has described his squad as a ‘disaster’ as a long season extends further

Pep Guardiola has expressed serious concerns over the lasting negative impact the ongoing Club World Cup will have on his Manchester City squad next season.

City, who went trophyless last season for the first time since Guardiola first campaign in England, had a three-week gap between the end of the Premier League season and the start of their tournament in the United States.

City face Al-Hilal in Orlando on Monday evening in the round of 16 and should City go on to reach the final on July 13 they will have a month to prepare for their new league campaign beginning on August 16.

Guardiola said he did not know how much the Club World Cup would take out of his squad and told reporters to ask him about the impact later in the year.

"I may say, so listen, we are a disaster. We are exhausted. The World Cup destroyed us," he added. "I don't know, but it's the first time in our life that that's happened. So we'll see."

Guardiola said he understood comments made by former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who said the expanded 32-team event, to be held once every four years during the pre-season, was football's worst idea.

"Jurgen, we fought together many, many times... when we went to UEFA meetings especially, or when we discussed the Premier League calendar, about how to add more quality, giving the managers and players more rest," Guardiola said.

"So his comments didn't surprise me a lot ... I understand his argument, because I would defend his argument as well."