Man City travel to Anfield on Sunday aiming to end a winless run of six matches
Guardiola insisted he is determined to oversee a rebuild of the champions
By MICHAEL PAVITT
Published: 08:20 EST, 29 November 2024 | Updated: 08:20 EST, 29 November 2024
Pep Guardiola has revealed he desire to rebuild his Manchester City side as he admitted the club cannot think about 'big targets' while they seek to address their poor form.
Guardiola has overseen a six-match winless run in all competitions, marking his worst spell during his managerial career.
Man City head into Sunday's clash with Liverpool eight points behind the Premier League leaders, following their 4-0 home defeat against Tottenham last weekend.
Guardiola had signed a new two-year contract prior to the match against Spurs, committing him to the club until 2027.
Speaking ahead of their visit to Anfield, Guardiola outlined his desire to rebuild his Man City side with the Spaniard insisting he knows what the team needs to address their current issues.
'We will be back, I know that. I don't know when, that is the truth,' Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola outlined his ambition to rebuild his Manchester City side amid their poor form
Man City head into Sunday's match with Liverpool eight points behind the league leaders
‘I want to stay, I want to do it. But the moment I feel I'm not positive for the club, another manager will come. But I want the opportunity to try it, I don't want to run away, I want to be there.
‘I want to rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and next seasons
‘I asked for that challenge, this opportunity to do it, because I feel it. I know what I want to do and what we need.
‘I know the consistency we once had we don’t have now, but which team around the world in 10 years is consistent.
‘It does not exist, not even in the NBA, tennis, golf, in any sports.’
Guardiola was asked whether defeat to Liverpool would signal an end to Man City's hopes of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Man City would fall 11 points adrift of Arne Slot's side should the hosts triumph at Anfield.
Guardiola stressed that Man City cannot think about 'big targets' at this stage, but admitted defeat would make their title hopes 'more difficult'.
Guardiola admitted it their titles hopes would be 'more difficult' if they lose to Liverpool
'In the situation we are in, it is not realistic to think about big targets,' Guardiola said 'The situation is to think about the next game and getting the momentum to continue and that will come back.
'Even in good situations, thinking about winning the title in November and December was not realistic.
'Liverpool are a team that have lost just one game, they are in such good form and are so powerful in all departments, especially in the boxes.
'I always think about the targets in April/May. It will be more difficult for us if we don't get a result on Sunday but still there are many, many games to play.'