‘No, I don’t think so…’: Pep Guardiola says he can’t see himself managing ANOTHER 200 Premier League games with Man City as he approaches his double-century, after a ‘decent’ eight-trophy haul in five years
- Pep Guardiola can’t see himself managing another 200 Premier League games
- Guardiola has won eight trophies at City, including three Premier League titles
- The City boss praised Patrick Vieira, the manager of opponents Crystal Palace
Pep Guardiola revealed there are no secrets to Manchester City’s success as he gears up to take charge of his 200th Premier League game.
The City boss brings up that milestone against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium today as he goes in search of a 147th victory.
Guardiola, whose side have lifted three of the last four league titles and are only missing the Champions League to complete the full set of silverware available, revealed yesterday he anticipated a short stay in England when taking over in 2016.
Pep Guardiola says that he can’t see himself managing another 200 Premier League games
‘When I arrived here, I never thought I would be here for six seasons,’ he said. ‘Never, ever. Never. I came, “OK, do three seasons and do a good job”.
‘I cannot be in a better place for my job, that’s why I extended once, I extended twice.’
‘I don’t have any regrets. I could not demand or ask more of what we’ve done so far.
‘I’m more than delighted what we’ve lived together and hopefully in the years to come we can continue to do well.’
Guardiola has won eight trophies at City so far, including three Premier League titles
Guardiola has 18 months left remaining on his contract with the champions and believes City have laid the foundations for his eventual successor to continue the club’s success.
The Catalan ruled out the prospect of leading City for another double century of top-flight games. ‘I don’t think so,’ he said.
‘But I couldn’t be in a better place. I have everything I need and I’m surrounded by fantastic players, even those who can be sad when they don’t play.
In addition, Guardiola guided City to glory in the FA Cup during the 2018-19 campaign
‘This club remains so stable and I’m pretty sure with the next step I’m going to take, and whenever I am replaced, the manager will do an exceptional job because the base is there.’
‘I’ve been here many years. Two hundred games means many years. Many years means we have won some games. No secrets. We’re judged on results. We’re not judged on how good we are, just the results. Getting to this milestone is because we’ve done decent with the players.
‘Six seasons here is because we got good results here, otherwise another manager would be sitting in front of you now. You have to win otherwise you would be sacked.’
Guardiola pictured during his first league game – a 2-1 victory at home to Sunderland in 2016
Guardiola meets Patrick Vieira on Saturday, the former City midfielder’s first visit back as a manager since retiring a decade ago.
Vieira – who was once touted as a future City boss – went to learn from Guardiola for a week at Bayern Munich.
‘When a person like Patrick came to Munich, you cannot imagine what an honour that was to get a visit,’ Guardiola added.
Guardiola praised Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira, who visited him at Bayern Munich
‘This type of player – as a human being, what he has done – is outstanding. It was a privilege. After we were together a short time in Manchester. He has changed the dynamic, the way they play at Palace. Palace always had really good players. It will be a tough task tomorrow.
‘I’m happy he’s back at a high level in the Premier League, doing really well against big contenders. They’ve shown the quality they have and that they can do it.’
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