Manchester City 'don't deserve' Club World Cup bonus - Guardiola

Guardiola: “We Don’t Deserve Club World Cup Bonus”

Manchester City’s Club World Cup Ambitions and Guardiola Honest Assessment

Pep Guardiola has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions, and his latest remarks about Manchester City’s Club World Cup bonus prove just that.

Despite City’s chance to pocket £97 million by winning FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup this summer, Guardiola made it clear: his squad does not deserve a financial reward for their performances this season.

FIFA’s Big Money Tournament

FIFA’s decision to expand the Club World Cup to 32 teams in 2025 has drastically increased the competition’s financial appeal.

🔹 Manchester City and Chelsea—both previous Champions League winners—stand to gain the biggest rewards.
🔹 Other European powerhouses, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, will also compete.
🔹 The winner will receive a staggering £97 million, making it one of the most lucrative trophies in football history.

But while FIFA’s money pot grows, Guardiola has no interest in personal bonuses for his squad, given City’s underwhelming season.

Guardiola: “We Don’t Deserve a Bonus”

Manchester City ‘don’t deserve’ bonus for winning Club World Cup, says Pep Guardiola –

Manchester City’s 2024-25 campaign has been far from their usual dominant standards.

⚠️ Early Champions League exit – Knocked out before the last 16 for the first time since 2013.
⚠️ Premier League struggles – Currently fifth, fighting just to secure a top-four finish.

For Guardiola, this is not a season worthy of extra financial rewards.

“We don’t deserve a bonus this season. The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much, it’s for the club,” Guardiola stated.

The Spanish manager was blunt when asked if City players and staff should receive a financial boost for winning the tournament:

“The managers, the backroom staff, the players—we don’t deserve anything. Not even a watch.”

His comments reflect the high standards he demands at City. In his view, only exceptional seasons warrant extra rewards—and this has not been one of them.

City’s Club World Cup Journey: Key Matches & Challenges

Pep Guardiola: Manchester City players would not deserve Club World Cup bonus

Manchester City will begin their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 in Philadelphia, facing:

🆚 Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
🆚 Al Ain (UAE)
🆚 Juventus (Italy)

If they progress, they could meet European giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or PSG in the knockout rounds.

Squad Uncertainty: What’s Next for De Bruyne & Gundogan?

Beyond Guardiola’s concerns about bonuses, City’s squad situation for the tournament remains unclear.

Transfer Window & Player Contracts

🔹 The Premier League has confirmed an early transfer window (June 1-10) before the tournament.
🔹 This allows participating clubs to make signings for the knockout phase.

Two key players—Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündogan—could be affected.

📆 Both players have contracts expiring on June 30.

This raises questions:

❓ Will De Bruyne stay for the tournament?
❓ Could short-term extensions be arranged?

Guardiola was tight-lipped on De Bruyne’s future:

“It’s a question for the club and Kevin. He’s a player, so yes, I’d like him in the USA. But I’m just concerned about what happens until the end of the season.”

This uncertainty adds another layer of intrigue to City’s summer plans.

The Bigger Picture: City’s Standards & Guardiola’s Philosophy

Guardiola’s comments highlight a bigger message:

🔹 Manchester City’s success is measured by their performances in top competitions—the Champions League and Premier League.
🔹 A season without a Premier League title or a deep European run does not meet City’s expectations.
🔹 Money alone is not a motivation—Guardiola demands excellence, not financial incentives.

While winning the Club World Cup would add another trophy to City’s collection, it won’t erase their struggles this season.