I NEED SILVER LINING
FA CUP SEMI-FINAL Pep fears Sheikh-up if trophy cabinet is bare
PEP GUARDIOLA admits he could be in big trouble with his bosses if he fails to win some silverware this season.
The Spaniard is feeling the heat heading into Manchester City’s FA Cup showdown with Arsenal at Wembley tomorrow.
He knows he has to win the semi-final to keep alive his hopes of landing a trophy in a difficult first campaign at the Etihad.
But he admits his side have not been good enough this season and that billionaire owner Sheikh Mansour will not be happy if City finish the campaign empty-handed.
Better
Guardiola said: “I don’t think they will be happy. The expectations of the club are as high as possible and they are to win the titles that are on the table.
“So if they are not happy, I can completely understand.
“We could have done better in terms of the results and even in the way we played. We wanted to be in the race for the title and in the Champions League to the end.
“Despite the fact that I am happy with what we’ve done, it is still not enough.
“But they (the owners) have to decide. They ® are my bosses. The chairman and the owner have to decide whatever they want.
“But you are here asking every few days, asking my opinion and I am honest. Because I’m a guy who if we don’t play well, I say we don’t play well.”
Guardiola will welcome back Gabriel Jesus ahead of schedule following a broken foot – but has lost John Stones to a training-ground injury.
The City boss has hinted that his stars lack self-belief and that they need to win the FA Cup to prove to themselves just how good they are.
He added: “I know how good they are and I’m so proud of how they play.
“But it’s one of my biggest challenges. We want the FA Cup to put in my players’ heads how good they are.
“I said it many times to them, but they still don’t believe.
“They are fantastic players and a fantastic team and winning titles helps you a lot.
“Winning helps you win more because you live that experience. You win a title or a final, it’s a lot of stress, a lot of pressure.
“If you handle that and you are able to win, the next time is a little easier.”