Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City ‘don’t deserve’ Club World Cup bonus.

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s players, managers and staff don’t deserve a FIFA Club World Cup bonus owing to their below-par performances over the course of the ongoing campaign.

City are set to feature in the newfound, 32-participant Club World Cup in the United States beginning in mid-June, with FIFA confirming a $125 million (£96.56 million) prize for the winner.

Speaking ahead of a visit to the Vitality Stadium, Guardiola was asked in Friday’s press conference about possible bonuses his side would pick up should they go all the way in the Club World Cup.

“We don’t deserve it this season. We don’t deserve a bonus this season. If we go there (the United States) and win, it’s for the club. Managers, staff, backroom staff, players – we don’t deserve (a bonus). Not even a watch,” the Manchester City manager said.

City manager Guardiola feels that Bournemouth defeat was the start of Man City’s troubles was when the rot set in during their disappointing season, with the team going on to lose seven and win just one of their next 11 games.

“That was the first game where we were a little bit away from the standards required to be competitive,” Guardiola said.

“I couldn’t turn around the symptoms that that game started, in terms of pressing and being aggressive and duels and these aspects.

“We have been magnificent in these terms but then it was a minimum we didn’t have. I’ve been trying for many months (since). We have the technology but sometimes it takes time.”

With City’s title defence wrecked during that sequence late in 2024 and their Champions League challenge since coming to an abrupt halt, the FA Cup has taken on extra importance.

He said: “We achieved the record last season – six times in a row in the semi-finals, and most of the time we were playing in bad condition after Champions League (games).

“It was difficult to deal with that, so arriving there shows how important this competition is.

“It’s so nice, the FA Cup, that’s why we take it seriously, like in the past with the Carabao Cup, winning four times in a row.

“With the season we have had, to come back to Wembley to play the semi-final and reach the final would be nice.”

Goalkeeper Ederson is back in contention for City after missing their last game against Brighton with an abdominal problem.