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Pep Guardiola: 'Manchester City spell will not be complete without Champions League win'

Guardiola: 'Man City spell will not be complete without Champions League win'
© Reuters
Pep Guardiola admits that his time as manager of Manchester City will not be "complete" if he fails to win the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola has admitted that his time as manager of Manchester City will not be "complete" if he fails to win the Champions League.

The 51-year-old arrived at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016 and he has since enjoyed a hugely successful trophy-laden spell with the Citizens, winning a total of 11 trophies.

Guardiola has steered City to four Premier League titles in the last five season, while he has also won four EFL Cups, one FA Cup and two Community Shields.

However, the Champions League still eludes Guardiola as City manager, with his last success in Europe's most prestigious club competition during his time in charge of Barcelona back in 2010-11.

Guardiola came close to lifting the Champions League in the 2020-21 campaign, but his Citizens side were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in the final.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after the match on November 5, 2022© Reuters

City have been out of competitive action for nearly six weeks as a result of the 2022 World Cup, but they return on Thursday with an EFL Cup fourth-round clash against holders Liverpool at the Etihad.

Ahead of the contest, Guardiola was questioned about the club's aspirations to lift more silverware, particularly the Champions League, which is a trophy the Spaniard has openly expressed his desire to win.

"It's not the only one but I admit it is the trophy that we want," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

"It will not be complete my period here if we do not win it but it is not the only reason I extended my contract, absolutely not.

"I will do everything in this time we have together and I will try but I would say the same, we have tried before. It is the trophy that we don't have and we will try to do it."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds fans after the match on October 25, 2022© Reuters

During the World Cup, Guardiola signed a contract extension with Man City until the summer of 2025, meaning he is on course to remain in charge at the club for nine seasons.

Guardiola has reiterated his gratitude towards the club's hierarchy and has revealed that their influence during his time at the club made it difficult for him to turn down a new contract.

"Thank you so much for the confidence they have in me," Guardiola added. "It is difficult for me to reject them because of the confidence they have in more and our staff and how they want us to do our best.

"I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to this club, to Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], to Ferran [Soriano] and everyone in the club to have me here."

Guardiola has also provided an update on the condition of his Man City squad ahead of Thursday's encounter with Liverpool, which is the first of three fixtures pencilled in to their schedule before the end the year.

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