Pep Guardiola is choosing to stay optimistic despite Manchester City’s challenging season—and couldn’t resist a sly jab at arch-rivals Manchester United.
The defending Premier League champions have struggled under the Spaniard’s leadership this campaign.
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City have already surrendered their grip on the league title and are now locked in a tense fight just to secure a Champions League spot. ..Continue Reading
They currently sit in fifth place, which will be enough to qualify this year, though Aston Villa and Chelsea are close behind and piling on the pressure.
Looking ahead to their upcoming FA Cup semi-final, Guardiola is keeping a level head, pointing out that the situation could be far worse and subtly hinting that other clubs—like United—have had even more to worry about.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of his team’s key clash against Everton, he said: “Hopefully next season, we can be there, deal with the big clubs in Europe.
“We can challenge them better than we have done this season but what we have done in the latest seven years we were there. Even when we were out, we compete really well.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to fight to qualify for the Champions League. We could be in a much lower position in the Premier League if you had done fewer good things than we have done in these four, five months.
“People say we are fourth now but I say yeah we could be 11th or 12th or 13th or 14th. I don’t have any doubts about that. So I take it like ‘okay, it has not been good but it’s in our hands’
“Of course, Goodison Park and Villa is massively important because it’s just six games and we don’t have much time. I know our qualification path for Etihad. We know the games we have here and one or two games away. We have the first opportunity tomorrow in Liverpool.”
Guardiola’s remarks come as Manchester United face mounting difficulties over at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are currently languishing in 14th place, having suffered 14 defeats in 32 league matches this season.
Under Ruben Amorim, it’s already confirmed they will record their worst-ever finish in Premier League history.
Tottenham have also endured a rough campaign and currently sit one spot and one point below United with just six games remaining.
Despite their domestic struggles, both clubs still have a shot at qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
The Europa League winners will earn a place in Europe’s elite competition, and both Spurs and United remain in contention, having reached the semi-finals.
Ange Postecoglou’s men will face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, while United are set to battle Spain’s Athletic Bilbao.
