Pep Guardiola reveals plan for January training camp in Abu Dhabi after ‘incredible impact’ it had for Man City last season

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Man City are planning a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi.

While a trip has not yet been finalised, there is an opportunity to train in the Middle East as City are without a fixture on the weekend of January 21-22, their designated free date during the Premier League‘s winter pause.

Last season a group of City’s players who didn’t progress far in the 2022 World Cup joined Guardiola in Abu Dhabi for warm weather training, and he has now confirmed he is looking to do the same with his whole squad.

Speaking to The Independent, he said: ‘After Newcastle, if it’s possible, we go to Abu Dhabi again, all together.

‘Last season we were there in the World Cup and it had an incredible impact for the staff and everyone. The five titles (we won) prove it.’

Last season a group of City’s players, including Erling Haaland, trained in Abu Dhabi

Man City’s owner, Sheikh Mansour, lives in Abu Dhabi and could be a motivating factor

He continued to reveal that the plan is not set in stone and could change, but he beleives that it could prove to be key in the race for the Premier League title.

‘We go there to train in better weather, to be together – training, training and training to prepare for the second part of the season,’ Guardiola said. 

‘That is the plan but maybe we’ll change it, I don’t know yet.’ 

Guardiola’s side sit third in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

After an impressive Treble last season, their FA Cup defence starts early in the New Year when they face Huddersfield in the third round.

They will be hoping that they can push on at the start of 2023 following the return of Kevin de Bruyne and follow up their successes of last season with similar triumphs in 2024.