With the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup just over a week away, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared his excitement about the unique opportunity the tournament presents.
Speaking to DAZN, Guardiola emphasized the fresh influences and diverse styles that make international club competitions special.
The City boss sees the tournament not just as a platform to move past a below-par domestic season but also as a chance to soak in the global footballing culture. “We will see how we finish the season. We’ll see how we arrive in that tournament all together, and after, we see what happens. Normally, when I start a competition like, for example, the Premier League, I never start by thinking, ‘Oh, we’re going to win, we have to win.'”
“So, one step at a time, however we arrive there, we will try to play better than we played that season,” he added.
Guardiola also reflected on Manchester City’s growth over the years, especially in terms of fan support worldwide: “Of course, we grew up in a supportive fanbase from the last decade and we’re really proud because the people enjoyed in the past watching us play, and, of course, with pre-seasons in Asia, sometimes in America, you see a lot of blue shirts in the stands and following in the towns and asking for autographs and pictures with our players. So that makes us so proud.”
With the tournament bringing together clubs from various continents, Guardiola highlighted the richness of tactical diversity on display. “It’s happening today in football, even in domestic leagues, there are different managers, different cultures and different ways to play. So, of course, you’re playing against a team from Oceania, from Asia, from South America. It’s a new one, that’s why it’s football, right? It’s not always the same style, it’s different visions and different types of players, cultures.”
The former Barcelona coach also paid tribute to his own football education and the mentors who shaped his outlook, particularly the legendary Johan Cruyff.
“The influence of my previous managers have opened my mind, especially my mentor, Johann Cruyff, for opening my mind and vision of the way to play. I’m pretty sure that without the influence of Johann Cruyff in my career as a football player, how difficult it would’ve been to become a manager.”
Commenting on player development, Guardiola dismissed the idea that one manager alone is responsible for a player’s growth. “When people say now that one manager developed that player better than another manager, that is not true, because the team and the ecosystem that you can create and the way they can play all together, rises or increases the quality of that player. There are few who alone can change things. The other one needs the team – by himself, it is nothing.”
Manchester City will begin their FIFA Club World Cup journey on June 18, facing African champions Wydad in their opening match.
The entire tournament, featuring 63 matches, will be streamed live and free on DAZN.
