Pep Guardiola Voices Concern Over City’s Schedule

Pep Guardiola has raised concerns that the Premier League is unlikely to accommodate Manchester City’s request to postpone their opening matches next season due to the team’s participation in the Club World Cup. City asked for a delay with the tournament set to end on July 13, 2025 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This schedule leaves just four or five weeks until the Premier League begins with three of those weeks reserved for mandatory player rest.

Guardiola said, “The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery,” voicing frustration over the lack of support. He pointed out that the Premier League rejected their request for a one to three-week postponement following the Club World Cup. However, reports show the club has not yet formally submitted the request to the league.

Although the Premier League has not confirmed the start date for the 2025-26 season, it will likely begin on either August 9 or August 16 with the Community Shield scheduled the week before. Along with City, Chelsea will also participate in the Club World Cup next summer. City officials have discussed the situation with the Premier League and they believe the congested international calendar is complicating matters.

Pep Guardiola and senior staff members now expect the club will have to manage the next season without the desired break. In the 2020-21 season affected by COVID-19, City and Manchester United received permission to start one week later than other clubs due to their participation in European competitions.

Guardiola added, “They won’t postpone these games, so there will be a moment of ‘what do we do?'” He emphasized the need for a common-sense decision as the situation unfolds.