Manager Pep Guardiola stated ahead of Sunday’s Group G matchup with Emirati team Al-Ain in Atlanta that winning the Club World Cup championship once more would not make up for Manchester City’s dismal 2024–25 campaign.

After finishing third in the English top division, Guardiola’s City missed out on winning the Premier League for the fifth consecutive year.

They were ousted by Real Madrid in the elimination phase of the playoffs, and they were unable to advance to the round of 16 of the Champions League.

“I said many times, the season was not good,” Guardiola told reporters on Saturday.

“Winning this competition is not going to change that, but my mindset at the moment is not about winning the competition. We can extend our time here, being here longer.”

Before the competition was changed to a 32-team event that would take place once every four years, Guardiola, who has won the Club World Cup four times as manager, led City to their first world championship in 2023.

City, who defeated Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 2-0 in their first game of the season, may advance to the round of 16 if they defeat Al-Ain, who lost to Juventus 5-0 in their opening match.

“Now we’re here, I want to do the best. I want to enjoy the moment here because you’re here one time every four years… And I want to arrive in the latter stages,” Guardiola added.