PEP GUARDIOLA claimed it will not be the end of the world if Manchester City do not win the Champions League — because he will have another crack next year.
Days after admitting he will be a “failure” if he cannot bring Europe’s biggest prize to the Etihad, the City boss now says it is not the be-all and end-all.
Pep Guardiola says it won’t be the end of the world if Man City don’t win this season’s Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
City face Real Madrid in the last 16 of the competition.
And Guardiola, who has 18 months left on his contract, said: “The only thing City don’t have is a Champions League and it’s good people ask for it.
“I will try and if not this year then next year — the world won’t end if you don’t win it.”
Guardiola is still chasing a cup treble this season after record- breaking back-to-back Premier League titles.
He said: “City was a club that, for a decade, wanted to just stay in the Premier League.
“Suddenly they were bought by people from Abu Dhabi and took a leap forward and won four leagues in a decade.”
Guardiola is being linked with a move for his old Barcelona favourite Lionel Messi.
But he said one of his current young stars, Phil Foden, is not for sale under any circumstances.
He said: “Foden is really good. He will be amazing.
“We don’t have a release clause. You’ll have to negotiate with me.”
He also told Madrid to forget about landing another of his stars, Kevin De Bruyne, any time soon.
Man City hope to sign Lionel Messi on FREE transfer if superstar does not resolve Barcelona bust-up
Pep smiled: “De Bruyne? To play at Madrid? Florentino Perez will have to call me.”
City last night confirmed England winger Raheem Sterling will miss Sunday’s home Premier League game against West Ham with a hamstring injury.
He also faces a race to be fit for the Champions League first leg at the Bernabeu on February 26.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
