In a surprising statement, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared that neither he nor his players deserve end-of-season bonuses — even if they manage to lift the prestigious Club World Cup.
Guardiola, known for his high standards, made the remark ahead of City’s crucial FA Cup clash against Bournemouth this weekend, where they aim for a record-breaking seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final appearance. Despite their previous dominance, City have struggled with inconsistency this season, leaving their Champions League qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
This year’s Club World Cup, set to be held in the USA, has a massive £97 million prize pool, potentially strengthening the club’s summer transfer budget. City is also known for offering seven-figure bonuses to Guardiola and his squad for major triumphs like the Champions League, and victory at the Club World Cup would typically trigger big payouts.
However, Guardiola is having none of it this time:
“We don’t deserve it this season. If we win, the bonus is for the club. Managers, staff, players—we don’t deserve it. Not even a watch.”
City faces a challenging path in the tournament, drawn into a tough group with Wydad, Al Ain, and Juventus, and could potentially meet Real Madrid early in the knockout rounds.
Guardiola’s comments have sparked debates among fans and pundits, with many wondering if this is his way of motivating the squad or a candid admission of their underwhelming season.
