Guardiola agrees with Klopp: "CWC is the worst idea ever implemented in football"

Following Jurgen Klopp’s sharp remarks about the revamped Club World Cup format, another coaching heavyweight has now added his voice to the criticism — Pep Guardiola.

Klopp, in a recent interview with Welt am Sonntag, didn't mince words, calling the competition "the worst idea ever implemented in football." He pointed fingers at decision-makers who, as he put it, "have never been involved in the daily grind or no longer are."

Now, Guardiola — whose Manchester City side is preparing to face Al-Hilal in the round of 16 on Tuesday (kick-off at 4.00.) — has echoed similar concerns, expressing sympathy for Klopp’s stance.

Guardiola remarked: "When the players and coaches rest, you have more quality. So it didn't surprise me. I understand him and respect him. I have an incredible relationship with Jurgen."

Reflecting on the tournament's toll, Guardiola admitted: "After this competition, we'll take as long a break as the Premier League allows us. And then we'll take it game by game, month by month, we'll see. And maybe by November, December, January, we'll be a disaster. We'll be exhausted. The Club World Cup will have destroyed us. I don't know."

Despite the sharp tone, the City boss also acknowledged the honor of competing: "It's a job, after all. We follow FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League, Serie A... The coaches don't organize the competitions; everyone has their role."

City cruised through the group stage in the U.S. with three commanding wins, and Guardiola used the matches to experiment with tactical variations and squad depth.

Blunt Pep: 'If I were at Madrid or Barca, I would have been sacked!'

With the Premier League returning on August 15, Guardiola’s focus will soon shift back to domestic ambitions — as the reigning champions aim to defend their crown and bring more silverware back to Manchester.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025

1/8 finals

Saturday

Palmeiras - Botafogo 1-0 AET (0-0)

/Paulinho 10/

Benfica - Chelsea 1-4 AET (1-1)

/Di Maria 90+5 pen - James 64, Nkunku 108, Neto 114, Dewsbury-Hall 117/

Sunday

PSG - Inter Miami (4-0)

/Neves 6,39, Aviles 44 og, Hakimi 45+3/

Flamengo - Bayern 2-4 (1-3)

/Gerson 33, Jorginho 55 pen - Pulgar 6 (og), Kane 9, 73, Goretzka 41/

Monday

22.00: (1.80) Inter (3.50) Fluminense (4.70)

Tuesday

04.00: (1.35) Manchester City (5.00) Al-Hilal (9.00)

22.00: (1.67) Real Madrid (3.70) Juventus (5.50)

Wednesday

04.00: (1.80) Dortmund (3.60) Monterrey (4.60)

***odds are subject to change***