Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reveals ahead of the Premier League showdown against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday that he wants to “prove” himself amid the club’s nightmare run of games without a win.
The Premier League champions face the league leaders off the back of losing five consecutive matches in all competitions and tossing away a 3-0 lead to draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Losing at Anfield would leave them 11 points behind Arne Slot’s side in the Premier League table and Guardiola says in the present situation it is “unrealistic” to look at longer term targets like the possibility of winning the league title.
“I have to prove myself,” said the Spanish tactician. “In long careers – nine, 10, 11 years – you live all the situations. We lost five games, drew the last one when we should have won, but it happens in football sometimes.”
He added, “[I have to] accept it. No complaining, no blaming, no pointing. Don’t run away from your responsibility. I have absolutely all on my shoulders. I have it and I want it.
“At this football club you have to win. If you don’t, you will be in trouble. I know the people say ‘why is Pep not in trouble, why is Pep not sacked?’ I have this margin because of what we have done over the last eight years. The people rely on me.
“What’s for sure is I want to stay. But the moment I feel I am not positive for the club another one will come.”