JAKARTA - Pep Guardiola is quite successful at Manchester City. He has won a number of titles since joining from Bayern Munich in 2016.
The 52-year-old has lifted England's Premier League trophy four times, won four League Cup trophies, and one FA Cup for seven years at Manchester.
Despite straggling with domestic titles, City has never won a Champions League trophy.
Guardiola said the success of his career as Manchester City manager would only be determined by the Champions League title, no matter how many times his club won the English Premier League trophy.
For Guardiola, City's attempt to win the European elite club competition for the first time was an inspiration. However, he often makes him frustrated.
In fact, at the club before, Guardiola had won Barcelona two Champions League titles in 2019 and 2011. Despite failing to repeat that success while coaching Bayern Munich for three years.
He once brought The Citizens to the Champions League final. But had to accept defeat to Chelsea in the 2021 final.
Faced with the question of whether his City era would be determined by just achievement in European level tournaments, Guardiola replied: "Yes. It doesn't mean I agree with that but we will really be judged by the competition."
However, he believes City's development from a team underestimated to become a member of an elite European club under his leadership deserves more award.
"Since the first day I arrived, sitting here for the first time, they (media) asked me 'Are you here to win the Champions League?" Guardiola was quoted as saying by AFP via Antara, Tuesday, March 14.
"I said 'What? If you were Real Madrid manager maybe I would accept that.' But I accept that here. This will not change," he concluded.
Meanwhile, City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne insisted that Guardiola's coaching era should be seen as a success although so far it has never landed a Champions League title.
"Every year we approach it, quarter-by-quarter, semi-final. We've never reached our final destination. We'll try it again," said De Bruyne.
"If you ignore those voices it will be annoying. I know we haven't won it but we have struggled very well."
"I know people look at you if you win, but there are so many situations going on," he continued.
City will undergo the second leg of the Champions League last 16 for the 2022/2023 season against Bundesliga Leipzig club on Tuesday, March 14, or Wednesday, March 15 in the morning WIB, to aim for tickets to qualify for the quarter-finals in six consecutive seasons.
Guardiola's team were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, but will benefit from their performance in front of supporters at the Etihad Stadium.
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