Pep Guardiola has admitted he is under pressure as Manchester City battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League. After dominating English football in recent years, winning six of the last seven league titles, City find themselves in an unfamiliar position—fighting to secure Champions League qualification rather than the title itself.
Currently fourth in the table, City are just one point behind Nottingham Forest, whom they face on Saturday. While a top-four finish is typically required for Champions League qualification, fifth place could be enough this season. City have participated in Europe’s top club competition every season since 2011/12, lifting the trophy for the first time in 2023.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola acknowledged the pressure of the situation but insisted that high expectations are a constant at elite clubs. “The pressure is always there,” he said. “You have to press yourself to do your best. It doesn’t matter what you are playing for.”
He also recognized the threat posed by Forest, who have been one of the surprises of the season despite a recent dip in form. “When you are third in the table with 11 games left, it means you’ve done really well,” Guardiola said.
The battle for Champions League spots is heating up, with just six points separating Forest in third from Aston Villa in 10th. Guardiola acknowledged the fierce competition, saying, “Everyone wants to be in the Champions League next season—for the club, for prestige, for sustainability, economically, for many reasons.”
Despite the pressure, Guardiola remained calm, stating that failure to qualify would not be catastrophic. “It will not be the end of the world. If we don’t qualify, it’s because we haven’t been good enough and others deserve it.”
