Pep Guardiola admits that this season was the most difficult of his 16 -year -old managerial career while the challenge of the Premier League of Manchester City collapsed and they left the Champions League early. The Spaniard has little known but a success in the sparkling spells in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City. But after four successive triumphs of the Premier League, the shape of the city took place from the end of October. They can always finish the campaign with a top five and the FA Cup, when they have an additional shot at silverware during the club World Cup.
But even if they end on a high note, that will not change the verdict of the Guardiola season as a whole.
“It was the most difficult, it is sure,” said the 54 -year -old man, whose team left the Champions League in the hands of Real Madrid in the qualifiers for the direct elimination phase.
“It was more demanding – much more. When you do not win, it is more emotionally demanding and (in terms of) preparation and moods and everything.
“It was more difficult than the previous seasons when we played for the titles.”
The injuries, especially for midfielder Rodri, was a huge factor in the decline of the city while a certain number of people have been a decrease in form.
Guardiola does not abuse to blame.
“We had a lot of injuries, we didn’t have energy,” he said. “We tried most of the time but we could not do it.
“I did not find a way to leave them comfortable and win the matches.”
Guardiola, whose parallel trips third to relegate Southampton on Saturday, admitted that the high standards of City had slipped.
“But, even with that, I would say that it could be worse. I was not good enough to find a way but we did not give up,” he said.
“We are still fighting to qualify for the Champions League – it’s a big and Grand Prix – and the FA Cup.”
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)
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