Man City Having Financial problems

Pep Guardiola has opened up

to his club’s burgeoning cash worries should they fail to make it into next season’s Champions League. Guardiola announced that not being able to attend Europe’s elite event would be a blow to the team’s image as well as its bank account.

Champions League Status Under Threat

City have now threatened to end that run of being in the Champions League for 14 years running. It is the longest continuously running streak in English football, dating back at least to Guardiola’s time. But a poor run of form has put them in an unfamiliar spot.

The Sky Blues are currently seventh in the Premier League table and will be under pressure from Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest to finish in the top four. Guardiola was unapologetic about it, stating: "Financial is a problem, of course it is, but it’s not just that. People snickered when I told them that being in the Champions League is our most important achievement. And now they realize how important it is."

A Season to Mistrust So Far.

City have only won once in their past 12 matches across all formats – a league record that is not reached since Kevin Keegan’s 14-game streak in 2004. Guardiola acknowledged that such a slide in form has only added to their vulnerability, making each game critical.

"You have to earn points and win games, otherwise we won’t make it to the Champions League," Guardiola said. "If we fail, it’s because we didn’t deserve it. That’s why we had problems we couldn’t resolve and we couldn’t win."

Support from the Top

Even with all the setbacks, Guardiola claims he has the full backing of Manchester City’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. “We talk every week. ‘I feel so well-served,’ Guardiola added. ‘We both recognise that, if things go wrong, we’ll have to make decisions. But at the moment we’re all trying to come up with solutions."

Injuries Fuel the Panic.

Plus, they’re struggling with an injury problem. Their best keeper Ederson has been suspended because of his clash against Everton, further complicating their race up the table. Guardiola, however, is only interested in the job at hand and knows there can’t be more on the line.

We are not alone,’ Guardiola cautioned. "There are lots of people who want to be in the top spot. We’ll lose, and that’s because we weren’t prepared for what we had to go through."

Eyes on Everton Clash

City will go on the road this weekend to take on Everton at the Etihad, and who knows, Guardiola’s men might have a season-turning chance. The squad’s hopes of Champions League football – and thus their financial future and long-term vision – are at stake.

The only thing is that Guardiola and his players have been under fire. Not winning the Champions League is not a matter of pride, but of surviving in high-risk professional football.

Guardiola and his players have been under fire. Not winning the Champions League is not about pride, but it’s surviving high-risk football.