“Not even a watch” – Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City ‘don’t deserve’ Club World Cup bonus after mediocre season | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s players, managers and staff don’t deserve a FIFA Club World Cup bonus owing to their below-par performances over the course of the ongoing campaign.

City are set to feature in the newfound, 32-participant Club World Cup in the United States beginning in mid-June, with FIFA confirming a $125 million (£96.56 million) prize for the winner.

The reigning Premier League champions will also be allowed to sign players before the Club World Cup, with significant upheaval expected amongst the first-team ranks ahead of the arrival of City’s newly-appointed sporting director Hugo Viana.

Manchester City have missed Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and academy graduate Oscar Bobb to long-term injuries since August and September of 2024 respectively.

Guardiola has also been forced to cope with a flurry of injuries in his backline as all of Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and John Stones have served time on the sidelines at various points of the term.

The likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Rico Lewis, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish have all struggled for form, meaning City have struggled for legs in the middle of the park and attacking inspiration to support and feed striker Erling Haaland.

Kevin De Bruyne has endured a disappointing, injury-riddled season himself and could leave City in a few months if a renewal is not agreed upon before his current deal expires on 30 June.

City are out of the Premier League title race and after exiting the UEFA Champions League and Carabao Cup, the FA Cup remains the Blues’ sole shot at winning silverware this season – ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final visit to Bournemouth.

Speaking ahead of a visit to the Vitality Stadium, Guardiola was asked in Friday’s press conference about possible bonuses his side would pick up should they go all the way in the Club World Cup.

“We don’t deserve it this season. We don’t deserve a bonus this season. If we go there (the United States) and win, it’s for the club. Managers, staff, backroom staff, players – we don’t deserve (a bonus). Not even a watch,” the Manchester City manager said.