Pep: Support and backing from the Club has been incredible | OneFootball

City boss Pep Guardiola says he is hugely grateful and appreciative for the unwavering support and backing he has been afforded by Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the rest of the Club’s hierarchy across a challenging campaign.

Against the backdrop of a raft of injuries to numerous key individuals, the 2024/25 season has proved a tough one so far for City.

The reigning Premier League champions will go into Sunday’s latest Premier League clash at home to Liverpool lying in fourth place in the table and on the back of last Wednesday’s Champions League play-off exit to Real Madrid.

But addressing the media ahead of Sunday’s Etihad clash, the City boss made a point of expressing his personal thanks and gratitude for the support afforded him by the Chairman along with CEO Ferran Soriano and Director of Football Txiki Begiristain.

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“I'm going to make an incredible, huge compliment for my Chairman,” Pep said.

“I don’t have to make a compliment just because I have to do it. I have a contract for two more years.

“The first season and this season was tough, but I never felt them closer to me.

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“Most of the time I say ‘Come on, let’s go’ and most of the times they say ‘Pep, it's going to go well, don’t worry, keep working, it’s life’ and they've been unbelievable.

“I’m still here not sacked because what happened in the recent past has been extraordinary and especially because of the type of Chairman, CEO, and Sporting Director that we have.

“In other clubs and cultures, it may be different.

“We are fourth, not bottom of the Premier League. Even with how we struggle we are in a more that decent place.

“We will not fight for the Premier League but for the FA Cup we are there but in the Champions League, we were miles away like we could not expect at the beginning of the season.

“Always I felt that whatever happened, they are there.

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“I appreciate it a lot. Maybe some managers talk about bosses to extend contracts but that isn’t the case because it’s already done.

“But they have been amazing.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s key Etihad encounter and beyond, the City boss also expressed his unshakeable faith and belief in his squad going on to secure a top-four finish and with it a guaranteed place in next season’s Champions League.

And given the myriad hurdles and obstacles City have had to navigate so far this season, the boss said achieving a top four finish would be an achievement to be proud of.

“100% for sure it will be a big achievement. [It would be] unbelievable,” Guardiola asserted.

“I’m incredibly positive [we will do it]. I’m an incredibly positive person. Always I see the bright side of the situation.

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“I’m not saying I’m stupid to see the reality of what it is but, I’m positive.

“Still, we have three months ahead of us and the target to qualify for the Champions League for next season to be there.

“To be in the draw like it happened on Friday [for the last 16], and we were not there. We have to fight to be there.

“Of course we’re going to try, it would be a big success.

“In my mindset I can think we will do it or will not do it. And I think we will do it. And after that the reality will dictate who we are as a team right now.”

City v Liverpool app coverage

Our official Man City app allows you to follow all of the action from Manchester in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at around 15:15 (UK).

David James and Paul Dickov will be the guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison while our text commentary continues.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.

Short highlights will be available from 21:00 (UK), whilst extended highlights and a full-match replay [available on CITY+] can be accessed from midnight.