Pep Guardiola feels that many people now want Manchester City to fail “more than ever” after the team won its fifth title in a row.
City return to English domestic action against Everton on Wednesday after adding the Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet with a 4-0 hammering of Brazilian side Fluminese in Saudi Arabia, having previously won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and European Super Cup in 2023.
No club in English football history has had a more successful year, albeit Guardiola won six trophies as manager of Barcelona in 2009, when the Catalan team won La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, Champions League, and Club World Cup.
“It’s a business, you get credit when you win,” Guardiola remarked before of City’s visit to Goodison Park. “You don’t win you are nothing, zero, what you have done in the past.”
“As much as you win, they want you to fail,” the Spaniard remarked. More than ever before. That’s how I felt when we won the sextuple in Barcelona.
“It’s natural. They don’t want us to succeed. The championships we’ve won in the last 14-15 years are incredible.
“People comment on how wonderful they play and how brilliant it is. But they only give us credit when we win. They don’t need to search any farther.”
City’s win against Fluminese was their first Club World Cup triumph, capping up a fantastic five days in Saudi Arabia that manager Guardiola described as “creating incredible team building and team spirit.”
All of this was in stark contrast to City’s previous Premier League campaign, which saw them finish fifth in the standings, six points behind leaders Arsenal.
“In the moment you don’t win you are going to get doubts, absolutely everything,” Guardiola added. “But that’s what’s wonderful about it. That’s OK. Doubt once again, and we’ll see what occurs.
“I mentioned it previously when we performed very well against Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Tottenham and didn’t win.
“It’s clear they don’t care about how we play.” We played at levels comparable to the previous eight years and did not win. It is a ‘disaster and catastrophe’.
“Of course, we had bad moments, such as Aston Villa, who were better.” But what’s the issue?
“They can play better, so we must accept it and move on.” The fact is that we are content, but they are waiting around the corner for us to fail.”
Guardiola, who spent Christmas with his family in Barcelona, maintained his attention was now totally focused on Everton.
“Nothing else exists than Goodison Park,” that’s what he stated. “The greatest athletes forget their success as quickly as possible.” They rejoice, but another competition is just around the corner.”
City are hopeful Rodri will be available after the Spain midfielder sustained an ankle injury against Fluminense, although Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku are all questionable.