Pep Guardiola: I'll be judged a failure at Man City without Champions League win

Last updated on .From the section Man Citycomments920

Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola's last Champions League win was in 2011 when he was manager of Barcelona

Pep Guardiola thinks he will be regarded as a failure at Manchester City if he does not win the Champions League.

The former Barcelona boss has won five major trophies since arriving at City in 2016, including Premier League titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

However, European success has so far eluded Guardiola.

"Last year was an extraordinary one for us but people say, 'But you didn't win the Champions League'," he said.

"That is why I will be judged, if we don't win it in my final period here, that I will be a failure here. I know that."

City have not made it beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League under Guardiola and have been knocked out by Monaco, Liverpool and Tottenham in the last three seasons.

On Sunday, Guardiola's side face a trip to Spurs for the first time since last season's Champions League last-eight first leg defeat.

Tottenham and Manchester City in the Champions League
Manchester City lost 1-0 at Tottenham in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final last season

Mauricio Pochettino was in the Tottenham dugout that day but Guardiola will now face a Spurs side managed by his long-time rival Jose Mourinho.

Guardiola expects to face a team that have traits of both managers.

He added: "They are quite different but there are similarities. Their teams are both quite aggressive.

"I saw Tottenham at Southampton and they were alive. They conceded a last-minute goal but I saw a team that is there.

"Every manager has different ideas, both are incredible managers. Mauricio Pochettino was there five or six years while Mourinho has been there just months, so all managers need time to make our teams play the way we want."

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  • Comment posted by MalR, at 23:49 1 Feb 2020

    I'm a neutral, but surely it's obvious that what Klopp achieved at Dortmund and Liverpool far eclipses what Pep has done with massive teams like Barca, Bayern and City. The first two were the best in their league, and even City had won the title under Pellegrini. What Klopp has done for Liverpool outstrips anything since Fergie transformed United. Give him credit.

  • Comment posted by The King, at 22:37 1 Feb 2020

    Jeez if Pep's deemed a failure what does that make Ole & Utd?

  • Comment posted by LFC6373, at 22:45 1 Feb 2020

    Pep is spot on, just like Klopp will be deemed a failure if he doesn't win the premier league. Oh wait, I think we don't need to worry about that anymore!

  • Comment posted by Khlysty, at 22:42 1 Feb 2020

    Journeymen like Mancini and Pellegrini won League titles with £billions of backing so it was no trick when Pep won the title with £500m more spent.

    He won't win the CL because his defence just isn't good enough.

    So yes, he's a failure.

  • Comment posted by getreal, at 22:47 1 Feb 2020

    Well said Pep. With the hundreds of millions and breaches of FFP it is a miracle you haven't won more. Cheated your way to the league but thankfully not the CL.

  • Comment posted by Rutland23, at 22:43 1 Feb 2020

    Best thing he's said. Yes you are a failure when compared to Klopp. He didn't buy instant success and now city are paying for it. He's nothing but a cheque book manager, always has been. Buys the best players with unlimited budget, hasn't a clue about bringing on players. He would struggle at a team like spurs or arsenal with limited funds and expectations

  • Comment posted by Mop, at 22:54 1 Feb 2020

    Of course he will be seen as a failure. Most expensive squad in world history and he can't get them past the last 8 in the competition he was brought in to win. Failed at bayern also.
    Very overrated manager.

  • Comment posted by Packman, at 22:57 1 Feb 2020

    Klops won the league, I would love to see city and Liverpool in the final of champions league this year and Liverpool to beat them and win it! I dint even support Liverpool but if they go unbeaten in the league then they deserve that competition as well!

  • Comment posted by WeBuiltManCityOnArabOil, at 22:40 1 Feb 2020

    With all due respect, any manager with a blank chequebook can do what he does, if not better.

  • Comment posted by Can we have our ball back , at 23:40 1 Feb 2020

    Having almost matched City last season, Klopp has taken Liverpool to the brink of the title but look at his teamsheet1-11compared to game 1.

    Klopp has been to 3 European finals

    Pep has produced 2 great years title wise, but did not take over a club 25 years from their last title. His starting point was further on from Klopp's a

    Klopp over Pep any day

  • Comment posted by getreal, at 23:03 1 Feb 2020

    @27 "although Liverpool have been the better side overall I feel that they had the luck of the decisions in more than one occasion."

    Sounds like you started watching football when Oil FC won a trophy for the first time in 50 years. 

    73 points from 75 is clearly down to luck.

  • Comment posted by I8Alot, at 23:27 1 Feb 2020

    Pep has entertained us with attacking and exciting football, as has Klopp and have both won trophies. I think we can all respect that, for surely that is what football is all about.

  • Comment posted by conradk, at 22:46 1 Feb 2020

    You’ll certainly be judged a failure for not winning whilst spending hundreds of millions of pounds, yes. The claim a a couple of months ago that City can’t compete with other teams was beyond laughable.

  • Comment posted by Jim Morrison, at 22:46 1 Feb 2020

    Perhaps another 500 million would help Poundland Pep.

    He’s like the kid at school who’s dad bought him everything but dignity.

  • Comment posted by X RAY, at 22:53 1 Feb 2020

    Absolutely correct Pep lad.

  • Comment posted by epimanes, at 23:44 1 Feb 2020

    I hope (as an LFC fan) that Guardiola stays in the EPL. He and Klopp are in a different league from the rest. City have had a few off days this year, but they are great to watch. To cement his legacy, Pep needs to find the new Kompany. That guy was a tough opponent!

  • Comment posted by U17844843, at 22:43 1 Feb 2020

    Well, 'failure', it is then...

  • Comment posted by CountVlad, at 22:46 1 Feb 2020

    Still making his exit plans I see

  • Comment posted by U17853486, at 07:25 2 Feb 2020

    321wires27

    'Klopp has spent just over £400m'

    Bit slow replying due to researching the figures.

    You're right Klopp spending is £401.9m. But in his time player sales have been £327.4m.
    So his net spending is £74.5m since 2015. Not a lot in 5yrs !

    Pep appointed in 2016 his spending is £815.43m. His player sales have been £312.85m.
    So his net spend is £502.58m in 4 years.

    Get it now ?

  • Comment posted by brumbrum, at 22:42 1 Feb 2020

    "Man City have never been extremely enthusiastic about winning the Champions League; their priority has always been first the EPL then everything else. I say this as friend and family of die-hard City fans."

    Convenient that the one trophy City can't win is the one they don't care too much about, isn't it?

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