Pep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City’s place in next season’s Champions League is under serious threat. Despite a record of 14 consecutive seasons in Europe’s premier club competition, City face mounting challenges to extend their streak.
Currently sitting seventh in the Premier League after 17 matches, Guardiola’s side trail fourth-placed Nottingham Forest by four points and fifth-placed Bournemouth by one. Even with England likely to secure a fifth Champions League spot for next season, City’s current standing would not be enough.
City’s recent form has been alarming, with just four points earned from their last eight league matches. Guardiola, who has repeatedly emphasized the importance of Champions League qualification, sees this run as a significant factor behind the team’s struggles.
“People often dismiss the challenge of qualifying for the Champions League,” Guardiola said. “But it’s a reality many dominant clubs in this country have faced. Once they fell out, they found it difficult to return.”
City’s upcoming fixtures provide an opportunity to regain momentum, with matches against Everton, Leicester, and West Ham – all in the league’s bottom seven. However, Guardiola stressed the urgency of finding solutions to the team’s problems before it’s too late.
Manchester City’s position is also under pressure from clubs unaccustomed to battling for top-four finishes. Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth currently sit above City, while Newcastle, Brighton, and Fulham remain within striking distance.
The Premier League’s traditional top clubs have experienced similar struggles in the past. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United dominated the top four spots for years but have all faced extended periods outside the Champions League. Guardiola acknowledged this trend, warning that City must improve quickly to avoid the same fate.
“If we don’t qualify, it’s because we didn’t deserve to,” Guardiola concluded. “The results reflect our preparation, and the problems we’ve faced need to be solved if we are to meet our ambitions.”
With critical matches on the horizon, City’s response will likely determine whether they secure their place among Europe’s elite for a 15th straight season.
