Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that his successes at Manchester City would be much more celebrated if he had achieved them with rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola produced a remarkable post-match interview after his side's 4-2 win over Tottenham on Thursday, labelling his team "happy flowers" that lacked the guts and desire to win this season while also criticising the club's supporters.
He received a response from his players on Sunday as they saw out a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves to move to within two points of league leaders Arsenal, who later beat Manchester United 3-2 to restore their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Guardiola's incredible outburst earlier in the week is possibly a sign of the pressure that this season's Premier League title race is having on the Spaniard.
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A report from Miguel Delaney in The Independent claims Guardiola feels frustrated and reveals that he has privately remarked about how his success would be more celebrated if it was with Man Utd.
He's talked several times about City in the same vein as Bayern Munch or Barcelona and clearly believes that his side deserves more praise and respect.
Guardiola wants more
What was key about his press conference was that he's still determined to do better even when City are arguably performing well.
Ultimately that's why he is one of the best managers around, his desire and intensity have allowed him to be successful at the very highest level.
He will be hoping that it prompts a reaction from not just his players but from the fans as well.
There were boos from the supporters on Thursday which Guardiola didn't like, but when you're used to so much success it's easy to see why the slightest blip will promote discontent amongst some.
City also don't have the history behind them unlike the other clubs the Spaniard has managed and their neighbours United.
The controversy surrounding their ownership in the past has somewhat put a dampener on their success and left fans of other clubs criticising their spending powers.
However, Guardiola is building City's history, and overcoming the current gap between them and Arsenal may see him receive the praise he craves.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Manchester United, Premier League
Will Evans