Pep Guardiola has conceded that not qualifying for the Champions League could spell financial trouble for Manchester City amidst a very challenging period.
Despite this, Guardiola's greater concern lies with the threat of City losing their grip on regular Champions League spots, a fate that has befallen giants like Manchester United and Liverpool in recent times.
As City prepare to take on Everton at the Etihad today (Boxing Day), they do so on the back of a dismal run of just one win in 12 matches across all competitions - their poorest streak since Kevin Keegan's 14-game winless run in early 2004.
Currently enjoying their 14th consecutive season in Europe's elite tournament - a record that even predates Guardiola's tenure and stands as the longest ongoing streak in English football - the importance of Champions League qualification is not lost on the City manager.
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Guardiola has often quipped that reaching the Champions League is his primary goal each season, much to the delight of the club's owners.
Highlighting the gravity of their current situation, Guardiola remarked: "Financial is an issue, of course it is, but it’s not just that. When I said before, people laughed. It’s presumptuous, us winning the Premier League. They said, ah qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success.
"I know it is, because it happens with clubs in this country. They were dominant for many years and, after, they were many, many years not qualifying for the Champions League.
"The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past 11 or 12 years has been Man City. Now we’re at risk, of course we are, definitely."
City, currently sitting seventh in the Premier League table, are facing stiff competition from newcomers like Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest for a top-four finish.
Guardiola emphasised the importance of winning games to secure a Champions League spot, stating: "You have to get points and win games otherwise we won’t qualify for the Champions League and if we don’t qualify it is because we don’t deserve it.
"Because we were not prepared, because we had a lot of problems and didn’t solve those problems and find a way to win games."
Guardiola also acknowledged the numerous contenders vying for the top spots, warning that failure to win games could result in City missing out.
Despite an ongoing injury crisis, with keeper Ederson's participation against Everton in doubt, Guardiola revealed he has the full backing of chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. He said: "Every week we talk. I feel incredibly supported. We behaved like in the first season maybe but it was completely different.
"We both know it, when there's a moment something wrong happens then we are going to take decisions. I feel incredibly supported from him."
