'Otherwise they will die' - Pep Guardiola says Man City have major problem that is 'impossible' to solve

Pep Guardiola has done the maths. Manchester City reported back for training on July 15 2024. If they reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup next summer, that is pencilled in for July 13 2025. He's preparing for a 12-month season and wants people to know about it.

"A proper preparation is impossible. We cannot demand when they're exhausted to train properly," Guardiola said this week. "They have to be fresh in the mind."

Expanding on that theme after City's second friendly of the summer, he added: "I would have preferred to bring [on tour] Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Kyle Walker, all the guys the people are waiting for but the schedule is the schedule and it would not be possible for them to come here."

ALSO READ: 'The club told me' - Pep Guardiola explains Man City thinking as trialist makes debut vs AC Milan

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola reaction exposes Man City frustrations as new superstar replaces Erling Haaland

Guardiola has been a vocal critic of the schedule his players must deal with. He is grateful for his own rest this summer to switch off, but sympathises with those players who had 11-month seasons and need to reset. If a 12-month season follows, he says it is his responsibility to protect his players and give them rest. Nobody else will do that.

Because after the 12-month campaign, City would be expected to start their 2025/26 campaign around a month later. That leaves no time for any proper pre-season, and could see players in action for 23 of the next 24 months. And that's after a similar schedule over the last two years.

So his big names, the ones who played in the Euros, have an open-ended holiday. Only return when you're ready to kick a ball, Guardiola says. If you're not ready, don't come back.

M