Man City should focus everything on winning this season’s Champions League after FFP ban
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola should focus everything he has on winning this season's Champions League, and simply play the kids for the remainder of the Premier League season, after UEFA decided to ban the club from European competitions for the next two seasons after allegedly breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Man City: UEFA ban club from Champions League for two seasons
Manchester City have been banned from the Champions League for the next two seasons by UEFA, and ordered to pay a £25million (€30m) fine, after they were deemed to have broken rules related to Financial Fair Play (FFP). While the club have already revealed plans to appeal the decision, Pep Guardiola must now focus everything on winning the competition this season.
Winning the Champions League this year would serve as a major blow to UEFA.
It’s still not exactly clear what would happen if City were to win the competition, as the tournament winners usually automatically qualify for the next campaign.
Whether UEFA have planned for that or not, we may never know. But the club’s board will surely want to get one over UEFA after tonight’s ruling.
But, how can City finally make significant strides in the European competition? Simply, Guardiola must play the reserves in the Premier League.
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If Guardiola manages to keep all of his stars fit and ready for action, the club have every chance of finally winning the Champions League.
When they’re at their very best, City are the best team in world football.
The club also have a number of youth and reserve players that can compete at the top of the Premier League table.
Phil Foden and Eric Garcia will need to step up as leaders to make sure City maintain their place toward the top end of the table.
Man City: Guardiola hasn't won the Champions League since his time at Barcelona (Image: GETTY Images)
Still, with City deciding to appeal UEFA’s decision, it’s expected that the club will still be involved in next season’s Champions League.
The manager may decide to remain in place until the end of the 2020/2021 campaign, assuming City are allowed to compete next year.
If they’re told that the ban must start straight away, there is a fear that the Spaniard would leave the Etihad Stadium, amid links to Juventus and Barcelona.
City fans will be crossing their fingers that the club’s lawyers manage to work something out - even if it’s just to make sure Guardiola stays in place.