Manchester City manager Nick Cushing says qualifying for the Women’s Champions League is about “the status of the team”.
City must beat rivals Manchester United in Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford (12:00 BST) to stand a chance of qualifying for next season’s competition.
They currently sit four points below United in fourth place and will finish the season without any silverware.
“I suppose there is a knock-on effect [of not getting into the Champions League] which goes far beyond my remit, such as recruitment and retention,” said interim manager Cushing.
“But for me, it’s about the status of our team. We have worked hard over the last 10-15 years to make sure our football club is at the level that I expect of a Manchester City team.
“Not being in contention [to win] the Champions League is really disappointing and something that is beyond our thinking.
“It’s still possible so we have to attack it and make sure we do everything possible to get there. The implications beyond? Who knows. I believe we will get it.”
Cushing admits he is “disappointed” he has not been able to deliver more consistency in his short interim spell in charge.
“It is about making sure this team is consistently competing for trophies,” he added.
“Now it’s a Manchester derby at Old Trafford – I’ve never done a game at Old Trafford – so for me personally it’s an exciting one.
“But the focus is on what we can deliver to try to get into the Champions League.”
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