Man City braced for 'very serious blow' - 'it's a big swing in the wrong direction'

03/21/2025 06:00 AM

Man City face a fight in the final nine games of the Premier League season to secure a return to the Champions League next season.

Pep Guardiola‘s side, who were knocked out of this season’s competition at the knockout playoff round by Real Madrid, sit fifth at present – which is likely to be enough to qualify.

However, a host of clubs – including Newcastle, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Brighton – are all in close pursuit and desperate to make their breakthrough at the top.

City last failed to qualify for the Champions League in the 2009-10 season, when they finished fifth and secured a place in the Europa League.

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the club are staring at a “very serious blow”.

Man City handed ‘serious’ Champions League warning

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted failing to qualify would mean a “big swing in the numbers” at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City‘s owners, City Football Group (CFG), released its accounts for 2023-24 last week – showing losses reached £122.2million to take their cumulative losses to almost £1billion since the group was founded in 2013.

Wyness insisted he expects City to make it – but has issued a stark warning.

He told Football Insider's Inside Track podcast: "It's pretty much confirmed that fifth place will get Champions League now.

"That increases City's chances considerably.

"I do expect them to make it, given that fact.

"But if they have a big fall in form, and we've seen some wobbles, then it would impact them.

"Dropping out of the Champions League would be a very serious blow for City's finances.

"At that stage, they'd have to pause for thought – in terms of the numbers involved.

"But we're not there yet. There's no doubt they've got an interesting end to the season ahead and the pressure is on Pep to get into that top five.

"There's a big crowd all fighting for it.

"It could be a big swing in the numbers for City – and one in the wrong direction."

Julian Alvarez to join Liverpool after quitting Man City last year?

Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (19 March) that Liverpool are unlikely to reignite their interest in Julian Alvarez in the upcoming summer window.

Alvarez made the move to Atletico Madrid from Man City for a fee in excess of £80million last year (2024).

The former City striker was keen to leave England last summer and it is unlikely he will push for a return so soon.

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