Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has laid down the challenge to his squad, insisting they must win all their remaining Premier League matches to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Speaking after City’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Guardiola made it clear that his team must treat their final 10 league matches as “finals”, starting with their next clash against Brighton.
“We have 10 games to qualify. We have to win games to qualify and move on to the next one,” Guardiola stated.
City currently sit just one point ahead of Brighton, making their upcoming fixture at the Etihad crucial.
Struggles Despite Big Spending
Despite spending over £180 million in the January transfer window, bringing in talents like Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush, City’s performances have remained inconsistent. Since the transfer window closed, they have won four and lost five of their nine matches.
Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand believes City’s recent signings are struggling due to the club’s instability.
“I don’t think they brought in bad players, but they have just come in at less stable times,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports. “You can’t bet against Man City; they have the players and the manager.”
The Champions League or Bust
Ex-England defender Joleon Lescott has warned that City must secure a top-four finish to continue attracting elite players.
“If you want top, top players, Man City need Champions League football,” Lescott told TNT Sports.
Failing to qualify for Europe’s elite competition would also hit City’s finances hard. The club earned £90 million after reaching last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, but this year’s early play-off exit to Real Madrid has already cost them £28 million in lost revenue.
For comparison, Manchester United recently announced a 12% revenue drop—losing over £25 million—after failing to qualify for the Champions League and being forced into the Europa League instead. Over an entire season, missing out on Champions League football can cost a club up to £100 million.
With City’s Premier League future hanging in the balance, Guardiola’s demand for perfection in the final 10 games will be the ultimate test of his squad’s resilience.
