Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said his team does not deserve a share of the £97 million prize money available for winning the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Despite the financial rewards at stake, he insists the players and staff should not receive any bonuses given their performance this season.
Guardiola Rejects Bonus for Players and Staff
FIFA recently announced the prize structure for the new 32-team Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States this summer. European clubs are expected to receive the largest payouts, with Manchester City and Chelsea among those in line for the biggest financial rewards.
City will begin their tournament against Moroccan side Wydad in Philadelphia on 18 June. They have also been drawn into a group that includes Al Ain from Abu Dhabi and Italian giants Juventus. If they reach the final at the MetLife Stadium on 13 July and win, they could take home nearly £100 million.
However, Guardiola believes that due to City’s struggles in the 2024-25 season, no bonuses should be given to the squad.
“We don’t deserve a bonus this season,” Guardiola stated. “The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much, it’s for the club. The managers, the backroom staff, the players—we don’t deserve anything, not even a watch.”
City’s Tough Season Raises Questions
Manchester City has endured a challenging season, including an early Champions League exit before the last-16 stage—something that hasn’t happened since 2013. They are also currently fifth in the Premier League and under pressure to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.
With their domestic struggles, Guardiola appears determined to keep the focus on improvement rather than financial rewards.
Transfer Uncertainty and Squad Changes
The Premier League has announced that clubs will be allowed to make signings in a short transfer window from 1-10 June before the Club World Cup. This will allow teams to strengthen their squads ahead of the knockout rounds of the tournament.
This has created uncertainty around some key players, including Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, whose contracts with City are set to expire on 30 June. FIFA has adjusted the rules to allow short-term contract extensions, but it is unclear if either player will be involved in the tournament.
Asked about De Bruyne’s future, Guardiola said, “It’s a question for the club and Kevin. He’s a player, so yes, I would like him in the USA, but right now I’m only thinking about the rest of the season.”
With City set to compete in the Club World Cup, their focus remains on finishing the Premier League campaign strongly and securing a place in next season’s Champions League.
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