Manchester City’s primary focus now is securing a top-four finish in the Premier League to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
This season, City has already been eliminated from two competitions, and their hopes of retaining the Premier League title ended early. They are still in contention for the FA Cup, but Pep Guardiola has set his sights on one main goal—securing a Champions League spot by finishing in the Premier League’s top four. The City manager believes that in such a challenging season, achieving this would be a significant accomplishment.
The four-time reigning Premier League champions currently sit in fifth place with 10 games left to play.
Throughout the season, City has been without several key players, including 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, for extended periods. Their absence has had a negative impact on the team’s performances.
City has lost three of their last five league matches, including a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
Given their current situation, qualifying for next season’s Champions League has become a major challenge—one that Guardiola is determined to overcome.
“Qualifying for the Champions League would be a big success. But we have to earn it. I want City to be there. If we don’t make it, that wouldn’t be a good thing. I’ve seen what happened to other teams in the past in the Premier League.”
“Missing out on the Champions League would be a problem. However, there are teams that failed to qualify before but eventually returned and are now competing there.”
Since the 2009-10 season, City has never failed to qualify for the Champions League. Even if they finish fifth, they might still secure a spot in Europe’s top competition. Due to strong performances from English clubs in European tournaments this season, the Premier League could gain an extra Champions League berth.
City’s next league match is at home against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
