Pep Guardiola admits that managing Manchester City is much more difficult than Barcelona and Bayern Munich
Pep Guardiola says he believed expectations would be lower at Manchester City than his previous two clubs but now realises that's not the case
PEP GUARDIOLA wore his heart on his sleeve, just as he always does.
But yesterday it was particularly fitting given what was happening at Manchester City’s Etihad campus.
The Catalan was in bullish mood in the aftermath of their shock Champions League exit.
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He talked about having more power than he has ever had before as a manager — and how he now needs to find the spark.
Guardiola also spoke of the challenges ahead and warned it will take more time to achieve success at City than it did at former clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Yet he has realised when City lose — as they did in Monaco in midweek — it is still seen as a disaster, just as it was at those two European heavyweights.
All this while his club unveiled something on their own sleeve, a new sponsor to be displayed on the arms of their shirts next season.
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It was obvious Pep was still feeling the effects of Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat. But his spirits had been lifted by a text from his chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak on Thursday.
Asked what the message had said, Guardiola replied: “What do you believe? He prefers to win the Champions League.
“But in the good moments and bad moments, especially the bad moments, I see his reaction and I am really impressed. I appreciate that a lot.
“I have more power than ever in my life as a manager. For me it’s a big challenge.
“This is the first time in my career as a manager where I feel: Now is the moment, you have to see yourself as a manager.”
City went out on away goals after their last-16 clash with Monaco finished 6-6 on aggregate.
Guardiola’s first nine months, and his tactics during the two games with the French side, have come under scrutiny.
That seemed to be something of a surprise to the former Spain midfielder.
He said: “Barcelona or Bayern Munich, these kind of teams, of course, it is a big disaster when you don’t win. I knew that.
“Here, I didn’t think that but, from the media, I feel it is a big disaster when we don’t win.
“It will take longer here to put the team where I want. That is what I like.
“At the other clubs, it was a little bit closer.
“I was so lucky managing and training big clubs.
“Now is the first time I want to help the team, so people say ‘wow, Pep could do that again at a team in England and at Manchester City’.
“I love this club and want to be here for a long long time.”
Guardiola was all smiles as he posed for pictures to help launch the partnership with City’s new ‘sleeve sponsor’ Nexen Tires.
But he knows finding the right partnerships all around the pitch will be a big challenge. Some 17 players have a question mark over their future at the Etihad — with at least half likely to go at the end of the season.
City are also ready to invest in at least three defenders, and possibly more, in what promises to be a hectic summer.
Guardiola added: “We are going to try to improve the team, but do it in a way that’s possible in the market.
“With most of the players, the base is perfect, it’s done.
“I have said many times I’m so happy working with the guys.
“We’re going to improve a lot next season. A lot of these guys will be here next season.”
Before then, City have to make sure they are back in the Champions League next term — something which is by no means guaranteed.
City are second this morning but defeat to Liverpool at home tomorrow could see them finish the weekend in fourth place.
They then face trips to Arsenal and Chelsea after the international break.
And the Etihad boss added: “Qualification for the Champions League will be tough.
“Except of course Chelsea, the other contenders will be there until the end of the season.
“It will be good to see how everybody reacts after going out of the Champions League.
“A lot of the players were in the competition for the first time and we will learn. We will be stronger next season I think.”