Manchester City’s season has failed to live up to expectations and Pep Guardiola believes even with FA Cup or Club World Cup success his team will not deserve a bonus in 2024/25
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s players and staff do not deserve a bonus this season – even if they win the FA Cup and Club World Cup. City have endured a uncharacteristically poor season, with the four-in-a-row champions currently fifth in the Premier League and having failed to reach the Champions League last 16.
Guardiola’s side go to Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals tomorrow and take part in the lucrative Club World Cup in the US this summer – with the winners bagging a £97million jackpot. City’s players and staff will also share bonus pots worth millions if the team wins either or both trophies, but Guardiola said none of them – including himself – deserves a bonus after such a poor season.
“’We don’t deserve it this season,” said Guardiola. “We don’t deserve a bonus this season. A bonus if we win is for the club. Managers, staff, players – we don’t deserve it Not even a watch!
“In the position we’re in, I’m just concerned about the team and what’s going to happen to finish the season the best as possible. The individual situations of me, the staff, the backroom staff and the players? Not even one second.
“We have to – everybody – think about what’s best for the team to achieve the targets we have still ahead of us with the FA Cup, Premier League and Club World Cup.”
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Guardiola said it was unlikely City midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who has been missing since September with an ACL injury, will return for the Club World Cup. The Spanish midfielder has been missed by the Catalan coach since being forced off the field in a dramatic draw against Arsenal.
“Listen, it would be nice if he could play tomorrow, but don’t make a wrong decision right now, you know?” said Guardiola. “Then take a step back.
“He’s been injured for six months. So we will see. We have to be sure that he’s fine.”
The City head coach did have some praise for January signing Abdukodir Khusanov however. After a disastrous debut, the central defender has proved an impressive asset for the 54-year-old.
“He [Khusanov] was not expected to play this many games but the situation in the back four all season means he plays a lot of games,” said Guardiola. “He has a special quality. Really special. He’s so fast and he brings his passion.
“His face doesn’t always show but he shows it in many actions. We are delighted in the short time with training, with many things.”
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