Pep Guardiola has fired back at his critics, insisting that no matter what he achieves as Manchester City manager, it will never be considered enough.
Speaking ahead of City’s UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, the Spanish coach reflected on the constant scrutiny surrounding his reign as he continues his quest to win Europe’s biggest club prize with the Premier League champions.
Since taking charge of City in 2016, Guardiola has delivered an era of unprecedented domestic success, winning four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and an FA Cup. However, Champions League glory has so far eluded him in Manchester, despite lifting the trophy twice during his time at Barcelona.
Guardiola guided City to their first-ever Champions League final in 2021, but they were beaten by Chelsea, a result that has continued to fuel criticism of his European record with the club.
“If my career finished tomorrow and I could no longer be a manager, I would be more than blessed with what I’ve done at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here,” Guardiola told reporters. “I could never have expected the career I’ve had in such a short time – not just the success, but the way we played. I couldn’t ask for more.
“We want to do our best and what’s going to happen will happen. Destiny is already written. We’ve been close.”
The 52-year-old admitted he has grown accustomed to the narrative that failure is inevitable if City do not lift the Champions League.
“I’ve had the feeling for many years that whatever we do, it’s going to be considered a failure. Whatever I do personally in the future, I’m going to fail. Nothing will be enough,” he said.
“That’s why I enjoy it. I have fun. After this press conference, I’ll have a good meal, good wine, watch Madrid versus Liverpool, Napoli is always a pleasure, and then prepare for the game.”
Guardiola said this shift in mindset has developed over recent seasons, particularly during his time at City.
“Mainly here, you realise everything is considered a disaster if you don’t win certain trophies,” he added. “I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I’m blessed to be here. I never arrived thinking we had to win everything every year or three or four Champions Leagues. Unless you are Real Madrid, the rest cannot do it.
“The last two seasons we’ve been really close, played really good games, and we try to do it again.”
The City boss also dismissed claims by former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry that City have become more predictable since signing Erling Haaland.
“Being less predictable does not depend on Haaland,” Guardiola said. “It’s about how we build the process to arrive in different channels and the final third, not just about Erling.”
City will travel to Germany without several key players. Guardiola confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte will miss the match due to illness, while John Stones remains sidelined as he recovers from a thigh injury.
The English champions head into the Leipzig clash looking to respond after being held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend, a result that left them second in the table, two points behind leaders Arsenal.
