Guardiola: Man City in danger of not qualifying for Champions League

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are in danger of missing out on a Champions League place for next season after their recent poor form.

City are playing their fourteenth consecutive season in the top flight of European competition, but are currently seventh in the Premier League, four points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest.

Only Arsenal between 1998 and 2017 and Manchester United between 1996 and 2014 have ever had longer runs of Champions League qualification among English clubs.

Guardiola's side have won just one of their last eight Premier League games and have recorded the fewest points of any side in the top flight (four) since the start of November.

“When I said it before, people laughed,” Guardiola said.

“They said: 'Qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success'. But I know because it happens to clubs in this country.

“They were dominant for years, and after years of not qualifying for the Champions League, the only team that has played in the Champions League in recent years is Manchester City. Now we are in danger, of course we are.” .”

Our last home game of 2024 #ManCity | #MCIEVE pic.twitter.com/NqpXtgq5tq

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 26, 2024

England currently top the UEFA table for European Performance places, meaning they are well positioned to secure a fifth Champions League spot for next season.

However, with City's current position, that would still not be enough to qualify as they are one point behind Bournemouth, who are in fifth place.

“There are many contenders,” Guardiola added. “It's so important for every club and if we don't win games we're out.

“If we don't qualify, it's because we don't deserve it, because we weren't prepared and because we had a lot of problems and couldn't solve them.”

City take on Everton on Boxing Day before wrapping up the 2024 season with an away trip to Leicester City on Sunday.

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