Barça, Madrid would have sacked me, says Pep Guardiola after disappointing season with Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted that clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid would have sacked him if he had the same season with them as he did with the Cityzens. City went trophyless throughout the season and could not deliver as a unit.

The Sky Blues ended the Premier League season in third position after 21 wins, eight draws, and nine losses in 38 games. Guardiola’s team was also stunned in the FA Cup final by Crystal Palace.

Guardiola had earlier coached Barcelona in the past and is well aware of the team’s management thinking.

“With the year we’ve had, if this were Spain, I wouldn’t be coaching in October, November or December,” Guardiola told DAZN. “If this were Barça or Madrid, they would have sacked me.

“But here it wasn’t even a question. You have to have a little more patience.”

The Spaniard cited Carlo Ancelotti’s example, who parted ways with Real Madrid despite leading them to a treble in 2023-24 season. The Italian has been named as Brazil’s new head coach.

“Look at Carlo Ancelotti,” he added. “He won the Champions League and LaLiga four days ago and now he’s off to coach in Brazil.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid has appointed former midfielder and former Bayern Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso as their new head coach.

On the other hand, City have already backed Guardiola in the transfer market ahead of next season, completing the signings of Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.

Both Madrid and City will be in action at the Club World Cup, which starts on Saturday.