Pep: I’ll quit before I change my ways

Pep Guardiola claims he would rather quit Manchester City than change his methods and insists top scorer Sergio Aguero has a big future under him.

The City manager has launched a passionate defence of his approach in the wake of his side’s humbling 4-0 Champions League loss at Barcelona, a result which extended their winless run to four games.

Guardiola spoke for 32 minutes as his modus operandi was questioned at a press conference ostensibly to preview tomorrow’s game against Southampton.

Asked if he ever thought of changing his plans, the former Barca and Bayern Munich boss said: “I think about that, yes, but after that the solution is not better than what I believe. So I cannot.

“Do you know why? Because in seven years I won 21 titles. So it’s three titles per year playing in that way.

“But if you believe I arrive here and in three months everything is going well and I’m going to win in the Camp Nou 0-4, I’m going to dominate against Messi and Luis Suarez, and Neymar is going to create nothing, and Iniesta isn’t going to play good, no.

“I’m good, but it’s not enough! No, I’m not going to change.”

The absence of Aguero, who has scored 11 goals this season, from the starting line-up in Barcelona was a surprise.

Guardiola justified it by saying he wanted to play more midfielders but, after the plan backfired, some observers have suggested it could be the beginning of the end for the prolific Argentinian at the club.

Guardiola said: “I spoke with Sergio, we talked about that. He was so understanding and helped us a lot from the bench and in the last minutes if the game was close, the last 30-35 minutes and their central defenders were tired, I thought Sergio could help us a lot.

“When Sergio decides to leave Manchester City, it will be his decision.”