“Everybody wants to fire me, right?” – Pep Guardiola comments on Manchester City future after Real Madrid elimination | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued an update on his future after his side were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

Guardiola’s side had a mountain to climb in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium after being put to the sword by a sensational Federico Valverde hat-trick in Spain last week, with City needing to overturn a three goal deficit in England.

The Blues dominated early proceedings in Manchester but the improbable became the near impossible after City went down to 10 men – as Bernardo Silva was shown a red card for a handball on the goal line after 20 minutes.

Vinicius Jr. converted the resulting penalty and although Erling Haaland pulled one back for the hosts just before the interval, it was too little, too late for Manchester City, who suffered a late defeat on the night as Vinicius Jr. doubled his tally to seal a 5-1 aggregate for Alvaro Arbeloa and co, who progress to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Guardiola: We have an extraordinary team, the future is bright!

In conversation with Prime Video Sport after Tuesday’s 2-1 second leg loss, Guardiola was candid in his reflection on his side’s performance as he provided wider context on Manchester City being at a nascent stage of a period of transition and not being the finished article yet.

“Just a feeling what would happen if it was 10 against 11. That is just the feeling,” the Manchester City manager said. “We gave everything! We have an extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players. The future is bright!

“Next season, we will (be) back. Still, we are not a complete team – that is the reality. I’ve been in a team at Manchester City when we were a team in all different aspects that define a team. And still, we are not (a complete team).

“But in terms of that – we have a (Carabao Cup) final on Sunday, an FA Cup (quarter-final) against Liverpool, Premier League still to fight and finish well – and prepare good decisions for next season. And next season, we’ll be back in the Champions League.”

I’m incredibly attached to Manchester City regardless of what the future holds, says Guardiola

Guardiola is into the final 15 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and there has been speculation over a parting of ways between the Blues and the 55-year-old this summer.

On whether he will remain Manchester City manager next season, the Catalan added: “When I retire in 10 years, always Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League – I will say, ‘We will be back’ because I’m part of that,” in his post-match press conference.

“Like in Barcelona or Bayern Munich – when I’ve been (there), I’ve been part (of the club). I’m more incredibly attached to that club or organisation because I’ve been here one decade – and when I say ‘we’ – it’s because I’m part of that.”

The Manchester City manager was further probed on his record in Europe during what will be a decade-long spell in England come the end of the season.

On potentially leaving Manchester City with just one Champions League title, Guardiola said: “Oh, everybody wants to fire me, right?! Oh my god, guys! One day I will come here and say, ‘Bye bye, guys!’.

“And still I’m here, one more year of contract. Yeah, you’re right. I should’ve won six Champions League’s to be recognised (as a successful manager). Yeah, yeah, for sure.”Guardiola and Manchester City remain in the running for a treble of trophies and as they bid to usurp Arsenal in the Premier League title race in their final nine league games of the season, the Blues can gain a monumental psychological boost over the Gunners by beating them in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.