Pep Guardiola concedes City slump could result in no Champions League place

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City are at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification this season.

In a remarkable downturn in results that has seen them lose nine times and win only once in 12 matches in all competitions, City have suffered defeat in six of their last eight Premier League outings.

Currently seventh, 12 points adrift of Liverpool having played a game more, they are outside the top four by four points, and one behind fifth place, which could also be a Champions League berth.

The last campaign in which City, whose boss Guardiola has overseen winning the league for each of the last four seasons and six times in the last seven, did not secure such a berth was 2009-10.

On potentially missing out this time, Guardiola said ahead of today's home clash with Everton: "Financial is an issue, of course it is, but it's not just that.

"I know what it is, because it happened at clubs in this country, many years they were dominant and after have been many years not qualifying for the Champions League.

"I think the only team that have been 11 or 12 years in the Champions League every season has been Man City. Now we are at risk, of course we are, definitely we are.

"So we have to get points and win games, otherwise we won’t qualify for the Champions League. If we don’t qualify it is because we don’t deserve it, because we were not prepared, because we have a lot of problems and didn’t solve those problems, and didn’t find a way to win games.

"Of course, there are of lot of contenders to be there. For every club it is so important. And right now, we are out, and if we are not winning games, we will be out."

"Everyone has to do more, simple. I have to, the players have to. Even uncomfortable things and difficult things,