Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign
England manager Thomas Tuchel recently said the involvement of City and Chelsea in this summer's tournament in the United States would hand the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal a 'huge advantage' in the title race.
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also described the event as 'the worst idea ever implemented in football' because of concerns over player welfare.
Guardiola, however, insists City – who face Al-Hilal in a last-16 tie in Orlando on Monday night (2am Tuesday UK) – are focused on rediscovering their best after a frustrating 2024-25 season and claiming the prize.
The City manager said: 'I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have, the competition and we try to win it.
'The most important thing is to recover and find within ourselves what we were. That's my main target in this tournament.
'I want them to feel that this is our path again to be competitive like we have been in eight of the last nine years.
'After this, let's see what happens. Let's see what happens after the final. We will rest for the time the Premier League allow us.
'Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we are exhausted and the World Cup has destroyed us.
'I don't know, it's the first time in our lives that this has happened. We will see when we come back.'
Guardiola says he can understand the viewpoint of his old rival Klopp, now head of global soccer for Red Bull, who had a team involved in the tournament in Salzburg.
Yet he suggested people complaining might be jealous.
Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: 'I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times. I know where his idea comes from.
'I respect him, I would defend his argument as well. At the same time, as managers, we are in a job. We don't organise the competitions.
'Once we are here, we are proud. Many, many teams complain about these competitions because they are not here, otherwise they might love being here.'
Weather problems have been a recurring issue in the tournament both in terms of intense heat and thunderstorms.
Chelsea's last-16 victory over Benfica on Saturday was suspended for almost two hours due to lightning in the vicinity.
Guardiola said: 'I am an extraordinary manager but to control lightning and thunder, still I am not good enough!
'If it is (suspended) here the same reason as why they suspend the other one, I will go inside and we will continue to be active and play again.
'It is not the ideal situation but I grew up to understand not to be worried about the situations that I can't control. So no problem.'
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Manchester City are heading home from the Club World Cup after a shock defeat by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the last 16 in the United squad are scheduled to fly back to Manchester on Tuesday night, bringing to an abrupt end a tournament which promised so much but instead delivered a stunning upset."We have been on an incredible journey together and were in a good place. The vibe was really good," manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport."But we go home and now it is time to rest - rest our minds for the new season."Was it a worthwhile experience for Guardiola's squad or an unwanted extension to an already long season? And what happens next for City? What did Guardiola learn from trip? The sunny climes of City's Florida base appeared to refresh and rejuvenate a side that was so disappointing this season - but on Monday night their Club World Cup hopes fell new signings all played a significant part in the tournament and it was evident that Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders will bring much-needed energy and enthusiasm to the international Rayan Cherki got off the mark in the group stages and provided a glorious assist for Phil Foden's extra-time goal against Al-Hilal, but there are major concerns at the other end of the Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri's attacking ability is undoubted, there are question marks over his defensive capabilities, having been caught out on occasion against the Saudi Nunes is a midfielder playing at right-back and though City managed to paper over it during the group stages, the square peg in a round hole was glaringly obvious once up against decent had not ruled out the signing of a new right-back before the tournament and it remains to be seen whether the club make a move for also needs to address the lack of pace in the heart of the defence, with the two central defenders looking particularly sluggish when attempting to chase back the speedy Al-Hilal Spanish boss has made it clear he needs to trim his squad heading into the new season and there may be question marks over the future of England international John Stones, who was the only outfield player not to see any minutes on the it remains to be seen whether midfielder Rodri, who missed most of the season through injury, has suffered a said he "complained about his situation" having come on as a second-half substitute before being taken off in extra-time. How much did City make? The Club World Cup has been a lucrative outing for all those involved, that is despite City missing out on extra prize money with their last-16 earned the most in the group stage because they were the only side to win all three matches, and will depart the US having banked approximately £ includes almost £1.5m per win and a participation fee, believed to be £27.9m, which Fifa bases on "sporting and commercial criteria".If Guardiola's team had reached the quarter-finals they would have earned an additional £9.5m in prize money, with that total rising to an extra £53.8m had they gone on to lift the paid £31m for Wolves left-back Ait-Nouri, who assisted a goal in their 5-2 win over Juventus, and £30.5m for Lyon forward Cherki, who scored in the 6-0 win over Al Ain, so have already paid off one of those are now the only remaining Premier League club in the competition. They surpassed £40m in prize money following their win against Benfica in the last 16. Time for a rest? If there's any solace for Manchester City, it is that the squad now has a chance to recharge before the new 61 games played by City since August equals their most in a season since Guardiola became manager in three top-flight clubs in Europe have played more often over the past 11 months, albeit Chelsea will also overtake City this weekend. 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Could they head off to somewhere in Europe for a short trip?One thing is for sure, City will return to Premier League action at Wolves on Saturday, 16 August (17:30 BST).
