Pep Guardiola hints at Manchester City's plans for warm weather training camp during World Cup

Pep Guardiola has hinted at Manchester City heading on a warm weather training camp during the World Cup, speaking during a press conference in recent days.

While many of the Premier League champions' squad will be competing at the tournament, a number of players will be absent.

The likes of Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez will be among the few continuing to train with Pep Guardiola and City staff during the tournament.

That will likely come after some time off for the relevant players, but upon their return, preparations for the resumption of the season will begin.

This week however, Pep Guardiola has hinted at Manchester City's players heading out on a warm weather training camp, with Abu Dhabi mooted as a potential destination.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the final Champions League group stage game of the season, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed he will not be personally heading to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

The Catalan coach did however reassure those watching along that he will be keeping tabs on proceedings at the showpiece tournament, albeit at home with his beloved red wine.

Guardiola told reporters this week, "No (I will not be at the World Cup). At home with the red wine is the best way to watch.

He continued, "We'll have one or two days off, reintroduce here (in Manchester), in Abu Dhabi maybe. Maybe have a game for the rhythm. We come back to England and be ready as much as possible."

Pep Guardiola stressed the importance of taking a break from football for himself and his Manchester City backroom staff, whenever that is possible.

The 51 year-old said, "All staff, it's good to take a break.

"Unfortunately for players, that cannot happen. The next few days after the (last) game, I don't look but I talk with staff, more time to analyse. One week, ten days (break) to refresh minds," the City head coach explained.

Following up on the brief mention of taking his Manchester City squad to Abu Dhabi during the World Cup, Pep Guardiola revealed more details of the plans being discussed by relevant officials within the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola said, "We will try (to go abroad during the World Cup), maybe in two, three weeks for these guys in winter in Manchester. Take a break, for staff go there (Abu Dhabi). Good weather, our owners are there. We are going to do that."

He continued, "I would say right after or a few days after, we come back from 10 days off. After Brentford one or two days off, after we come back, we travel. Not confirmed, but we will try."

Manchester City have four games before the domestic season pauses for the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Their final European outing takes place on Wednesday night, as they play host to Sevilla in the Champions League, before games against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, and Fulham and Brentford in the Premier League follow suit.