Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he and his players do not deserve a bonus even if they salvage their dismal season by winning the Club World Cup.
In addition to finishing in fifth place in the Premier League, Guardiola’s team was eliminated from both the League Cup and the Champions League.
City, the four-time English champions, may end the season without a major trophy for the first time since Guardiola took over as manager in 2016–17.
With a quarterfinal match against Bournemouth on Sunday, the FA Cup is their last chance to win domestic silverware.
However, Guardiola feels that City have underperformed to the point that they will not be eligible for a bonus from the large prize fund offered at the postseason competition in the United States, even if they win the FA Cup or the Club World Cup in June and July.
FIFA, the global governing body of the sport, announced this week that the 32 participating clubs will split a $1 billion pot, with the winners of the Club World Cup receiving up to $125 million in prize money.
“This season, we don’t deserve it. This season, we don’t deserve a bonus.” Guardiola told reporters on Friday, “I don’t know how much, but it’s for the club if we win.
“The players, the manager, and the backroom crew don’t deserve it. Not even a watch.”
