From here Manchester City must secure Champions League football for next season | OneFootball

To say this season has been a disappointment for Manchester City would be an understatement. For Pep Guardiola’s side to be out of the Champions League and out of contention for the Premier League title before the end of February says it all. But for the remainder of this season, there is still plenty for Pep Guardiola’s side to play for. Securing qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League is a must and a good FA Cup run could boost morale for City’s players going forward.

After Manchester City’s Champions League campaign ended on Wednesday night at the hands of Real Madrid Pep Guardiola explained that qualifying for the competition for next season is now the goal. In quotes relayed by ESPN, Guardiola explained: “I have the feeling we were better than Real in the previous three seasons, but this time they were better. They deserve it. What we have to do is accept it and move forward. We have 13 games in the Premier League to try and be here next season. Nothing is eternal. We have been unbelievable and we have to try. We cannot win the league and we have to be in the top four or top five to try to be here again.”

From here Manchester City must qualify for the Champions League. That will take a top-four finish at a minimum or possibly a top 5 finish. But finishing in the top four is a must. That eliminates relying on extenuating circumstances to secure qualification for Europe’s premier club competition.

Aside from the financial benefits of playing in the Champions League, it’s a competition Manchester City must be in. It will help City’s rebuild as players want to play in the competition. But for a team with the quality of Pep Guardiola’s side, they have to finish in the top four or five. Yes, it’s been a disappointing season, but they do have the quality to achieve that goal. From here they simply have to so that they can salvage something from the 24/25 season.