Pep far from down after City Euro exit
PEP GUARDIOLA has tagged himself “The Exceptional One” at the end of a week that saw his Manchester City team eliminated from the Champions League.
Defeat in Monaco has ramped up the importance of today’s game against Liverpool – and the FA Cup semi against Arsenal – as he attempts to rescue his first season with a trophy.
The Spaniard won three consecutive La Liga titles when he took over at Barcelona and three Bundesliga crowns on the trot when he moved to Bayern Munich.
“Other managers in the world don’t win titles each season,” he says.
“That’s normal. The exception is my career. I’m sorry. That is exceptional.
“I am here with big expectations because I won a lot in Barcelona and Munich.
“People believe that because Pep is sitting here now, they are going to win the title. Easy! They are wrong.
“I never said we are going to win one title. I never said I was going to win the double or the treble.
“I promised a lot of work. Few guys can beat me at that. I work. I am so proud of that. But I never promise titles. Never in my life.
“I never said that on my first day at Barcelona or when I went to Bayern Munich and they’d won the treble with Jupp Heynckes.
“I just promised work and to be assured they are going to play the way I want. That is the only power I have.
“But I didn’t come here just to have fun and play well. Of course, I want to win titles I’d be happier if we were still in the Champions League.
“In Barcelona and Bayern Munich when we went out of the Champions League I know what they said. Sometimes it’s not easy to accept that. But it’s part of my job.
“At the top level, all the teams are really good. The big clubs around the world spend a lot of money.
“City spend a lot, too. But other teams spend £80million, £100million just for one player.
“Next season we are going to buy. But so are Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern.
“As the manager I am fully responsible for the performances.
“My job depends on results. The boss (Sheikh Mansour), the Chairman, the Sporting Director, they are going to decide what’s the best for the club.
“If it’s not good they are going to say bye-bye.”