UMVA has learned that Pep Guardiola has issued a stark warning to clubs about the dangers of becoming too fixated on success in the Champions League, a competition he believes can "destroy projects".
Guardiola's comments come on the back of Arsenal's defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last season's Champions League final, a match that ended in a crushing penalty shootout loss for the English side. PSG's victory marked their first Champions League title in history, and they successfully defended it by beating Arsenal in Budapest just last month.
A seasoned Champions League winner himself, Guardiola has claimed the top prize three times as a manager, twice with Barcelona and once with Manchester City. However, the 55-year-old, who departed Manchester City at the end of last season, now urges clubs to prioritize their domestic league performances as a true measure of success.
"The Champions League is a competition that destroys projects, and I hope that's not the case at Barca," Guardiola warned, highlighting the perils of judging a team's season solely on their European performance. He emphasized that the league provides a more accurate gauge of a team's consistency and continuity.
Guardiola's philosophy is centered around the idea that daily hard work and progress should be the primary focus, rather than an overemphasis on winning the Champions League. "What matters is that the daily work is excellent, that the team keeps growing and improving, and that they don’t believe the season is a failure just because they don’t reach the Champions League final or win it," he said.
The league, according to Guardiola, sets the foundation for evaluating a team's success. He also took the opportunity to praise Hansi Flick's impact at Barcelona, where the team has enjoyed two extraordinary years under his leadership, marked by impressive performances and attractive football.
Guardiola expressed his admiration for Flick, stating that he's "a big fan" of how Barcelona do things and hopes the manager stays with the club for many years. This endorsement underscores Guardiola's respect for Flick's approach to the game and his ability to cultivate a winning culture at Barcelona.
