Pep Guardiola: UEFA deserves more credit for making European competitions better

The Manchester City manager made the remarks as the Premier League table remains unusually congested, with multiple teams still chasing major objectives.

City themselves are firmly in the title race, having briefly topped the standings before their recent 1-0 away win at Burnley kept them within striking distance.

Guardiola's comments also included a rare defence of UEFA, signalling a shift from his previous criticism of fixture congestion.

He highlighted the impact of the expanded 36-team "Swiss Model" format in European competitions, arguing that it has reduced the number of late-season matches with little at stake.

While City continue their battle with Arsenal for the title, the intensity extends throughout the table. Below the top two, clubs including Bournemouth, Brentford, Everton and Sunderland are locked in a competitive fight for European qualification, ranging from a potential fifth Champions League spot to Europa League and Conference League places.

"I think it's one of the good things that in the last decade of 10, 15 years, it changed a lot and it's a good thing," Guardiola said.

"Before it was maybe 10 games left, just one team goes to the Champions League, and one team in the Europa [League] and it was 10 or 11 players don't play for anything.

"Now that is good because being involved in the Champions League, the Europa League, Conference, don't be relegated, always you play for good things and that makes the competition alive until the end.

"And that is a really, really good decision from UEFA or the guys who decided to do it. Really good."