Pep Guardiola’s Frustration Over Packed Schedule for Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has crunched the numbers and is preparing for an unprecedentedly long season. With Manchester City returning to training on July 15, 2024, and the FIFA Club World Cup final scheduled for July 13, 2025, he is looking at a potential 12-month campaign. “A proper preparation is impossible. We cannot demand when they’re exhausted to train properly,” Guardiola remarked. “They have to be fresh in the mind.”
Reflecting on City’s second friendly of the summer, he lamented not having key players like Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, and Kyle Walker on tour due to the relentless schedule. “The schedule is the schedule and it would not be possible for them to come here,” he said.
Guardiola has been outspoken about the grueling schedule his players face. Although he appreciated his own rest this summer, he empathizes with players who endured 11-month seasons and need a break. With a 12-month season ahead, Guardiola feels it’s his duty to give his players rest, as no other entity will. “If the big bosses and all the institutions like FIFA, UEFA, and the Premier League don’t think about the players then the managers have to think about them, otherwise they will die.”
City faces the daunting task of starting their 2025/26 campaign just a month after the Club World Cup final, allowing no time for a proper pre-season. Guardiola’s key players, especially those who played in the Euros, are on an open-ended holiday. “Only return when you’re ready to kick a ball,” he told them. “If you’re not ready, don’t come back.”
This approach is risky with Manchester United in the Community Shield and a tough Premier League opener against Chelsea looming. “We will arrive late,” Guardiola warned. “But not against United, against Chelsea and Ipswich. We will be late, it’s try to not drop many points, try to compete well.”
Erling Haaland also voiced concerns about the demanding schedule, noting the lack of quality at the Euros due to player fatigue. “What do you think? I like playing football,” Haaland responded when asked if he had too much football. Rodri has echoed calls for more rest and protection for players, supported by Guardiola.
Despite these concerns, Guardiola doubts any changes will be made. He suggested last season that players might have to strike to bring about change. FIFPro, the player’s union, has launched a legal challenge against FIFA regarding next year’s Club World Cup. Guardiola acknowledged this but is preparing for the competition to proceed. “No, there’s no solution, there will not be a solution because there is no intention to find a solution,” he said. “The clubs have to travel to make our brand around the world, to let other continents and places see our players, and we have to adapt.”
Guardiola’s pragmatic approach acknowledges the necessity for clubs to travel and promote their brand and FIFA’s drive to maximize revenue. “We would like to have had proper preparation but it’s impossible because national teams deserve to play and every institution like FIFA and UEFA and local competitions, want to defend their product and make games,” he stated.
Guardiola remains focused on preparing his squad for the new season, regardless of who is available. He warned that if City starts slowly or struggles to maintain intensity, it won’t be due to a lack of foresight. “It is what it is,” he concluded, accepting the realities of modern football’s demanding calendar.
