Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (C) consoles Manchester City's Croatian midfielder #08 Mateo Kovacic (L) after the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on March 8, 2025. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)
Nottingham, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City flops that Champions League qualification will not "fall from the sky" after a painful 1-0 defeat at top four rivals Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Guardiola's side were humbled yet again in their wretched campaign when Callum Hudson-Odoi beat City keeper Ederson at the near post in the 83rd minute.
City's ninth league defeat of the season -- their most since 2019-20 -- leaves them anxiously looking over their shoulder in the top-four race.
To get back in Europe's elite club competition next season, Guardiola knows City must find a way to shake off the lethargy that has gripped them throughout their astonishing decline.
"We have to win games. We don't win enough games in a row to be secure. We have 10 games left, we have to win a lot of games to qualify. This is how it is," he said.
"To find a way we have to play better. We have to do something, it doesn't come from the sky. Of course the situation is what it is.
"Ten games left, starting against Brighton next Saturday, international break afterwards and we'll see what happens."
In keeping with City's error-strewn season, Ederson made a hash of Hudson-Odoi's winner, allowing the former Chelsea forward to squeeze in his shot at the near post.
Fourth-placed City are four points behind third-placed Forest and only one ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who host lowly Leicester on Sunday.
Despite their predicament, Guardiola refused to blame Ederson for their latest loss.
"It is what it is, we can't blame a player, I prefer to praise than blame," he said. "I didn't see the action. It happens in football, nothing to say."
