Pep Guardiola

Guardiola insists he is determined to turn things around at Man City but admits he will have to leave if he cannot

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images via ONE FOOTBALL)

Pep Guardiola says he is relishing the challenge of trying to bring Manchester City back to the top ahead of a crucial game against Liverpool on Sunday.

City have lost the last three Premier League games and sit eight points behind league leaders Liverpool going into the clash with Arne Slot’s side.

They are also winless in six in all competitions, losing five, most recently letting a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 with Feyernood in the Champions League.

Guardiola signed a contract extension with City until the end of the 2027 season and explained how success does not determine whether he wants to stay at a club, though admits he will have to move on if he cannot improve things in time.

He said: “I was in Barcelona. Today is the 125th anniversary of, what I would say, is my club where I was born.

“I was there four years, 14 titles, had Messi, the best player ever, Neymar was coming, and I said I’m leaving.

“People asked why are you leaving your hometown with generational players like Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol. I left because I felt it. Here is the same. If I extend it is because I feel it.

“I’m not sitting here just for what I have done. Still I am happy, still I want to try but I don’t want to stay in a place if I feel I am a problem. I don’t want to stay just because the contract is there. My chairman knows it.

“I said to him, give me the chance to try to come back especially after everyone comes back and we will see what happens. After, if we are not able to do it, we have to change.

“More than ever I asked my hierarchy to give me the chance. It will be easy for me (to leave) now it’s not going well but I don’t want to. I have a feeling that I still have a job to do and I want to do it.”

But despite insisting he is motivated to turn things around, the Spaniard admits he has not enjoyed this recent spell.

Asked if he is enjoying a different challenge, he said: “I don’t enjoy it at all. I don’t like it! I slept not as good as when I won every game.

“This will pass. I don’t know when but in life nothing is eternal.”

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