MX23RW : Wednesday, February 19 23:56:15| >> :600:559892:559892:
Feb 26, 2020 at 8pm UK at ​Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid
vs.
Man CityManchester City

Pep Guardiola fears Real Madrid defeat could lead to Manchester City sack

Pep Guardiola fears Real Madrid defeat could lead to Manchester City sack
© Reuters
The Premier League champions face the Spanish giants in the last 16 of this season's competition.

Pep Guardiola has claimed Manchester City could sack him if they fail to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Premier League champions face the Spanish giants in the last 16 of this season's competition with the first leg taking place at the Bernabeu on February 26.

City sacking Guardiola is an unlikely scenario given his outstanding record at the club, but the former Barcelona boss nevertheless recognises it does exist due to the high expectations at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola has won five major trophies with City, including two Premier League titles, but has failed to take the club beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League in three previous attempts.

Guardiola told Sky Sports: "I want to win the Champions League. I dream (of it) and I will enjoy preparing for the games against Madrid, to see what we can do and this process, two weeks before, will be the happiest moments of my profession, to imagine what we can do to beat them.

"If we don't beat them, OK, come the chairman or the sport director and say, 'It's not good enough, we want the Champions League, I'm going to sack you.'

"OK, (I'd say), 'Thank you, it was a pleasure'. I don't know (if this would happen). It has happened many times and could maybe happen."

Guardiola has won two Premier League titles with City
Guardiola has won two Premier League titles with City (Martin Rickett/PA)

Guardiola, who is very demanding in terms of the style of football his teams play, feels it is unfair to judge managers solely on the trophies they win.

He said: "We give a bad, bad message for the new generation, for our kids, to just count the winner, the trophies to win.

"You say the season is a disaster but if you win the Champions League it will be exceptional. Why? It is difficult to win it.

Guardiola's side were beaten by Tottenham in the Champions League quarter-finals last year
Guardiola's side were beaten by Tottenham in the Champions League quarter-finals last year (Martin Rickett/PA)

"If you don't, we can say in more than 100 years of history (there) were 100 failure seasons for Manchester City. That is not true.

"Always the people believe like you are Pep or Jurgen (Klopp), or another name, you have to win all the titles every season and (get) 2,000million points, (score) 2,000million goals.

"Sometimes it is not possible.

"All the times, in no sport, (has) one team won every season all the time. It's impossible."

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool26251061154676
2Manchester CityMan City26173667293854
3Leicester CityLeicester26155654262850
4Chelsea2612594336741
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs2611784334940
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2610972824439
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd2610883829938
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2681263532336
9Everton26106103438-436
10Arsenal2671363634234
11Burnley26104123039-934
12Southampton2694133248-1631
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2687112440-1631
14Crystal Palace2679102332-930
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2669113138-727
16Bournemouth2675142640-1426
17Aston Villa2674153450-1625
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham2666143045-1524
19Watford2659122440-1624
20Norwich CityNorwich2646162448-2418

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