Manchester City’s interim coach Nick Kushing says his club “dext than standards and expectations” after being excluded from a Champions League place.
City needed Manchester United in fourth place to keep their hopes for European football next season, but after 2-0 the first half.
Kushing, who managed City in 2013-2020, was temporarily seized until the end of the season, after Gareth Taylor left the game in March and was assigned to guide the club to win three key players in the Women’s Premier League.
“When I played this role, it was related to winning the cup and qualifications and we couldn’t be able to convey that,” he said.
“We have been a team that has always played the cups in seven years I have played,” he said. This team must always present the trophies and play in the Champions League.
“The position of the league is very below what I’m waiting for, but we’re not so far away,” he said.
The victory over United, which had finished third, would take City to one point on the table and put a impressive end to the European Football Championship on the last day of the season. City host Crystal Palace on May 10, when United have visited the second place.
Last year, City have pushed Chelsea in an attractive competition – the second-placed goal difference – but this season ends without any silver and European football.
They also left the FA Cup semi-finals, while Chelsea threw in the Champions League quarter-finals and beat the club in the final.
The campaign has suffered a hamstring injury, with captain Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, striker Vivian Medima and the club’s lead player Khadija Khew to withstand the game.
“We are trying to make a puzzle here that there is no piece,” Kushing added. “We are trying to finish forever, but it has been difficult with all the injured players,” he said.
“There are difficult situations, many injuries, but that’s not a reason to quit. We tried to continue until the last minute, we need to be better,” said City’s defender’s defender.
“Sometimes when there are obstacles, we must be together and not give up. We will be better and become a winning team that I’m sure.