Pep lays out demands for Man City to return to the top

MANCHESTER. — Manchester City’s night of mood swings ended with a remarkable outpouring from manager Pep Guardiola as he virtually presented a list of demands to the entire club for a return to previous sky-high standards.

It was not delivered in any sinister way but, having watched the reigning champions turn a 2-0 half-time deficit into a chaotic 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premiership football at the Etihad on Thursday night, an animated and passionate Guardiola felt it was time to strike publicly as he reminded everyone at Manchester City that what he has been seeing has not been good enough.

City closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points but Guardiola has seen enough in recent weeks to launch a remarkable stream of consciousness in the direction of anyone who would listen. There was the unaccustomed sound of booing at half-time as City’s fans, gorged on success under Guardiola, expressed their disapproval at a limp first 45 minutes and what they clearly regarded as a lenient display from referee Simon Hooper.

Guardiola may have ended a thunderous night pumping his arms into the air and blowing kisses into the stands but he was clearly less than satisfied as he warned Manchester City will not be winning their fifth title in six years unless they raise themselves to their previous heights.

The manager’s fire and brimstone reaction continued into his postmatch debriefing as Guardiola’s perfectionist approach bubbled to the surface, outlining what he expects from everyone at Manchester City on and off the pitch.

No-one was spared as Guardiola clearly felt victory - “I am incredibly happy. I will sleep like a baby tonight” — allowed him a better platform to state that he was not actually incredibly happy at all.

Guardiola wants more than the natural gifts of his players, particularly as they try to overcome the hunger of a new challenger in the shape of Arsenal.

“Guts, passion, fire to win from minute one,” said Guardiola. “The same with the fans. They are silent for 45 minutes. I want my fans back.

“I want a reaction from the whole organisation. Not just the players.”

He added: “I want our fans to push us. Demand more. Say ‘come on guys’. Show us more. We are a happy flowers team, all nice and good. I don’t want to be a happy flower. I want to beat Arsenal. If we play that way Arsenal will destroy us.” — BBC Sport.