Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that failing to qualify for the Champions League next season would be a significant setback for Manchester City, but he is adamant that it would not signal the end of the club's dynasty.
Guardiola's comments came after City's 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, which has left the team fifth in the Premier League table. Despite the setback, Guardiola remains optimistic about City's chances of securing a top four finish and qualifying for the Champions League.
"Qualification for the Champions League would be a big success, but you have to win it," Guardiola said. "Whether there are five, six, or seven places, you have to win games. I want to qualify for the Champions League. It would not be good if we didn't, but I saw what happened with other Premier League teams in the past."
Guardiola pointed out that several teams have failed to qualify for the Champions League in the past but have managed to bounce back and secure a spot in the competition. He also highlighted City's own history, noting that the team had never played in the Champions League before their first appearance in the competition.
England may be handed an additional spot in the Champions League through UEFA's coefficient rankings, which would provide Guardiola's team with a safety net. However, Guardiola is focused on securing a top fourt finish and is confident that City can achieve this goal.
"We are used to doing exceptional things, and we have to try to do it," Guardiola said. "We wake up in the morning and try to continue and do a good season next season. We have 10 games left, and it is still in our hands. We are going to try."
City's situation is precarious, with several teams, including Brighton, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Newcastle, within three points of them. However, Guardiola's team is still in touching distance of third and fourth place, and a strong finish to the season could secure a spot in the Champions League.
Ultimately, Guardiola is confident that City will bounce back from their current setback and secure a place in the Champions League. While failing to qualify would be a significant disappointment, Guardiola is adamant that it would not signal the end of City's dynasty.
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