With the FIFA Club World Cup now just over a week away, DAZN caught up with some of the managers who will lead their teams into the new and expanded tournament, hoping to be crowned the world’s undisputed best club.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is eager to get going at the tournament, not just because it's a chance for his side to put a below-par season behind them but also because he's excited about the festival atmosphere that the Club World Cup promises.
“We will see how we finish the season. We'll see how we arrive in that tournament all together, and after, we see what happens. Normally, when I start a competition like, for example, the Premier League, I never start by thinking, 'Oh, we’re going to win, we have to win.'
"So, one step at a time, however we arrive there, we will try to play better than we played that season," Guardiola said to DAZN.
He continued: “Of course, we grew up in a supportive fanbase from the last decade and we’re really proud because the people enjoyed in the past watching us play, and, of course, with pre-seasons in Asia, sometimes in America, you see a lot of blue shirts in the stands and following in the towns and asking for autographs and pictures with our players. So that makes us so proud.
“It’s happening today in football, even in domestic leagues, there are different managers, different cultures and different ways to play. So, of course, you're playing against a team from Oceania, from Asia, from South America. It’s a new one, that's why it's football, right?
"It's not always the same style, it’s different visions and different types of players, cultures.
Man City's group-stage matches at the Club World CupFlashscore
“The influence of my previous managers have opened my mind, especially my mentor, Johann Cruyff, for opening my mind and vision of the way to play. I'm pretty sure that without the influence of Johann Cruyff in my career as a football player, how difficult it would’ve been to become a manager.
“When people say now that one manager developed that player better than another manager, that is not true, because the team and the ecosystem that you can create and the way they can play all together, rises or increases the quality of that player.
"There are few who alone can change things. The other one needs the team - by himself, it is nothing.”
Manchester City begin their Club World Cup campaign against Wydad on June 18th.
Guardiola was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
jinadosz
1
man city will reach semi final or final
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
U right man it's a weak league
it ain't weak .. the difference between every league and This league is that even 17-15 positioned club can defeat or draw or trouble a top 5 club which is rarely seen in other leagues
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
U right man it's a weak league
I didn't even say PL is a weak league ..
Zezesol400
0
PL is weak ? broo most of English clubs have reached remarkable feats Every team can beat one or the other ( maybe take 10-12,)
U right man it's a weak league
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
I smell jealous hia,wit all de beating man city faced last season 2 finish 3rd ,I think de premier League is a weak league
PL is weak ? broo most of English clubs have reached remarkable feats Every team can beat one or the other ( maybe take 10-12,)
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
Man City could participate there simply to add numbers. They don't deserve to be there. They're the weakest team at the moment with no combination, totally mess up [5percent]
if u classify Man City in the weakest .. then Real Madrid joins in too. Only PSG is strong team in the League
Lecceikmo
0
it's OK they will shock u
Fepnprtuz
0
fuck u
Zezesol400
0
I smell jealous hia,wit all de beating man city faced last season 2 finish 3rd ,I think de premier League is a weak league
dabbilnosu
0
am thinking guardiola will resign after CWC or in middle of the season🤔
Fetaclrstz
1
Man City could participate there simply to add numbers. They don't deserve to be there. They're the weakest team at the moment with no combination, totally mess up [5percent]