Pep Guardiola claims that people want Manchester City to fail “more than ever” after the club won its fifth trophy in a row.

City return to domestic action against Everton on Wednesday, having won the FIFA Club World Cup in addition to the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and European Super Cup in 2023.

Guardiola won six trophies as Barcelona manager in 2009, as the Catalan club won La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup titles.

“It’s a business where you get credit when you win,” Guardiola remarked ahead of City’s trip to Goodison Park.

“You don’t win because you are nothing, zero, because of what you have done in the past.”

“They want you to fail as much as they want you to win.” More than ever before. That’s how I felt when we won the sextuple in Barcelona.

“It’s natural. They don’t want us to succeed. The titles we’ve won in the last 14-15 years are incredible.

“People comment on how wonderful they play and how brilliant it is. But they only give us credit because we win. They don’t need to look any further.”

On Friday, City defeated Brazilian opponents Fluminense 4-0 to win their first Club World Cup.

The win capped off a great five days in Saudi Arabia for City, which Guardiola described as “creating incredible team building and team spirit.”

However, City’s inconsistent domestic play during the past month – one win in six games, four draws, and a defeat – has put them behind Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham in the Premier League standings on Boxing Day.

“If you don’t win, you’re going to have doubts about everything,” Guardiola remarked.

“But that’s what’s wonderful about it. That’s OK. Doubt once again, and we’ll see what occurs.

“They want you to fail as much as they want you to win.” More than ever before.” Guardiola, Pep

“I mentioned it before when we performed fantastically well against Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Tottenham and didn’t win.

“It’s clear they don’t care about how we play.” We played at levels comparable to the previous eight years and did not win. It is a ‘disaster and crisis’.

“Of course, we had bad moments, such as Aston Villa, who were better.” But what’s the issue?

“They can play better, so we must accept it and move on.” The reality is that we are content, but they are waiting around the corner for us to fail.”

Guardiola spent Christmas in Barcelona with his family before returning to England.

Although he described himself as “satisfied” after winning the Club World Cup – “I have a feeling that the job is done, we have everything” – he has swiftly shifted his attention to Everton and nothing else.

“Never at the start of the season when I arrive do I think how many titles we are going to win,” Guardiola stated. “Never, never, never.” It’s a terrible strategy.

“There is nothing else but Goodison Park.” The greatest athletes forget their victory as quickly as possible. They celebrate, but another competition is just around the corner.”

Despite sustaining a hard knock to his ankle at Fluminense, City are hoping Rodri will be available, although Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku remain doubts.