‘Whatever happens, I’m going to fail’ – Pep Guardiola makes brutally honest claim on Champions League criticism

Pep Guardiola has hit out at his critics, claiming that whatever he achieves at Manchester City as manager; “nothing will be enough”.

The City boss was speaking to the press ahead of his side’s Champions League last-16 first leg clash at RB Leipzig on Wednesday, as Guardiola bids to finally land the famous trophy with the Cityzens.

City have won four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and the FA Cup since he was appointed boss in 2016.

Despite winning the Champions League twice with Barcelona, he has not been able to replicate that success with Bayern Munich and Man City.

He led the club to their maiden Champions League final appearance in 2021, a game they lost to Chelsea.

Ahead of the first leg of his side’s Round of 16 tie away at RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening, Guardiola was asked if he holds a special affinity with the Champions League.

“I could never expect to have the career I had in the short time. Not just the success we had together over this period of 13, 14 years, for the fact the way we played,” the 52-year-old said in a press conference on Tuesday.

“I couldn’t ask for more. We want to do our best, what’s going to happen is going to happen. In the end destiny is already written. We’ll do our best, we have been close.

“I had the feeling what we have done for many years, whatever happens is going to fail. Whatever I do personally in the future I’m going to fail. Nothing will be enough.

“That’s why I enjoy it, have fun. After this press conference I’ll have a good meal, good wine, watch Madrid vs Liverpool, Napoli is always a pleasure and then I’ll prepare for the game.”

“I would say if my career finished tomorrow if I cannot be manager, I would be more than blessed with what I’ve done at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here,” he told reporters.

Asked when he had this change in mentality, Guardiola responded: “A few years. Mainly at City. Put in perspective that everything is a disaster if you don’t win some prizes.

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I’m blessed to be here. I never thought when I arrived we have to win everything. Or every year I have to win three, four Champions Leagues. Unless you are Madrid, the rest cannot do it. Adjust to try to do what we have done. The last two seasons we have been really close, really good games. And try to do it again.”

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Thierry Henry’s suggestion that City are more “predictable” since signing Erling Haaland was also put to Guardiola, but the 52-year-old rejected this.

“To be less predictable does not depend on Haaland,” he said.

“It’s about how we make the process to arrive in different channels and the final third, not just with Erling.”