Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has positioned the FIFA Club World Cup as the beginning of a new season rather than the conclusion of their disappointing 2024-25 campaign. The defending champions arrived in Florida with significant squad changes and renewed focus after their worst domestic season in a decade.
Sources told ESPN that Guardiola gathered his players for a team meeting upon arrival, emphasizing the tournament represents a fresh chapter. The club completed over £100 million in transfers during FIFA\'s special Club World Cup window, acquiring Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli.
City excluded several players from their 27-man squad, leaving Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips at home as part of Guardiola\'s rebuild strategy. Walker appears headed to Fenerbahce, though Everton has shown late interest in the England international.
The managerial changes extend beyond players, with Liverpool assistant Pepijn Lijnders joining Guardiola\'s staff alongside set piece coach James French. Lijnders previously worked under Jurgen Klopp, whom Guardiola considers among his fiercest rivals.
\"This is a very, very serious competition. We\'re going there to win it. This is the beginning of the new season, not the continuation of last season,\" said chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Several senior players including Éderson, John Stones and Bernardo Silva enter the final year of their contracts. Guardiola has indicated additional departures may follow the tournament as City continues reshaping their squad.
\"It\'s definitely a bit of that, yeah. Obviously, speaking to a few of the lads, we\'ve spoken about that, being the first on the trophy would be nice,\" said Phil Foden about winning the inaugural expanded tournament.
City opens against Wydad AC in Philadelphia on Wednesday, with Guardiola described by as \"happy and relaxed\" ahead of the competition.
Via Rob Dawson/ESPN