Pep Guardiola has told two Premier League managers he ‘wishes he had their team’ amid Manchester City’s poor season. Far from securing a record-extending fifth successive Premier League trophy, Man City face a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League after an alarming drop-off this season.

Ninety-six hours before Manchester City's do-or-die UEFA Champions League game at home to Club Brugge, Pep Guardiola took the unusual step of effectively confirming a selection decision.John Stones will start a game where anything less than three points for the 2022/23 winners will end their participation before the knockout stages.

With Manchester City needing a win to avoid a stunning early exit from the Champions League, Pep Guardiola wasn’t in the mood to discuss the prospect of his once-dominant team crashing out of European club soccer’s most prestigious competition.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City face a make or break Champions League clash against Belgian side Club Brugge and the Spaniard has revealed his real motivations for victory

Stones shone in the Treble success by transforming into a dependable solution in defensive midfield, largely alongside Rodri, however with the injury sustained by the Spaniard, Guardiola believes it rules out the idea of the England centre-back returning to the role this season.

The UEFA Champions League heads into the final matchday of its league phase, with the fates of many sides still undecided - including Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola says it is a "dream" for Manchester City to have their UEFA Champions League fate in their own hands ahead of the "challenge" of Club Brugge.

Manchester City must beat Club Brugge in their final Champions League group game to keep their hopes alive after a miserable campaign, which has seen them win just two of their seven matches so far

Manager Pep Guardiola is staring down the barrel of failing to make the knockout stages for the first time in his career. Read more at straitstimes.com.

City are on the verge of an early exit from Europe’s top competition and must defeat Club Brugge in their final match of the league phase to make it into the playoff round

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said teams have changed tactics because they are no longer intimidated by his side, which is making their Champions League campaign more difficult.