Guardiola Bela 2025 Club World Cup: Manchester City May Be Happy To Be Here

JAKARTA - Pep Guardiola is one of the people defending the 2025 Club World Cup.

He dismissed the notion that participation in the tournament in the United States could destroy the Manchester City season.

Guardiola's defense cannot be separated from the criticism that was recently raised by Jurgen Klopp regarding the 2025 Club World Cup. The former Liverpool manager said the tournament was useless.

Klopp, who now heads global football for Red Bull, expects clubs involved to suffer unprecedented injuries next season.

On the one hand, Guardiola agreed with Klopp. However, on the other hand Guardiola said that other clubs were jealous of not participating and would be happy to be in the position of Manchester City participating in the 2025 Club World Cup.

"Listen, I often fight with Jurgen many times. I know where the idea came from."

"The comments (about the 2025 Club World Cup) don't really surprise me. I understand it. I respect it."

"Now, he has stepped down from that position (as a manager). I understand his argument because I will also defend his argument."

"As managers, we don't hold tournaments. As soon as we are here, we are proud. Many teams complain about this tournament because they are not here."

"Otherwise, they may be happy to be here. They will have media and supporters here."

"There will be income to be here and they will be happy to be here. Of course, this is not an ideal situation for the manager."

"Do I want to have two months to prepare for next season? Yes. Do I want to refresh myself for next season? Yes."

"However, that's how it is. We deserve what we've done in the past to be here. Once we're here, let's do our best," said Guardiola.

The Citizens players have been in the United States for more than two weeks. They can spend another two weeks abroad if they reach the final in New York on July 13, 2025.

Guardiola insists that he doesn't know how his players will react next season - which starts on August 15, 2025 - because the 2025 Club World Cup is the first edition of an expanded new version.

"After this, let's see what happens. Let's see what happens after the final."

"We can rest and take advantage of the time the Premier League gives us to rest, then we'll see," said Guardiola.

"Maybe in November, December, or January, it will be a disaster. We are exhausted and the Club World Cup that has destroyed us. I don't know, but this is the first time in our life this is happening."

"Men mentally, I think in the past the players have played in the World Cup or Euro for their national team."

"So, sometimes that happens. Sometimes you need to rest mentally, you can recover, then we'll see when we come back," said Guardiola.

Meanwhile, Manchester City will face Saudi Arabia's Pro League club, Al Hilal, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Indonesian Western Time (WIB) morning, to fight for a place in the quarter-finals.