The Game That Pep Thought Could Get Him The Sack At City

Pep Guardiola revealed he feared he could be sacked for the first time in his managerial career last season following the game against Everton at Goodison Park.

In January 2017, in a performance littered with individual mistakes, from the visitors, City were humbled 4-0 by the Toffees and the pressure was seriously mounting on Guardiola.

The 47-year old ended up finishing 15 points behind league leaders Chelsea and Guardiola admits he did fear that he could get given the boot because of the underachievement.

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Image: PA

"Of course. I thought 'If it doesn't work, I'll go home, another one is coming and someone can try in his way', so in that moment there was concern about the results, what we can do to improve," Guardiola said in his pre-match presser, as quoted by The Independent.

"In that moment I thought that [getting sacked] could happen, that it doesn't work.

"In that moment there was concern about the results, how to improve. We didn't play as bad as the result suggests but when that happens you have to accept it.

"But at the same time, I thought if next season it's not going well, if it's the same, Txiki (Begiristain, City's director of football) or Ferran (Soriano, City's chief executive) would decide, 'OK Pep you are not good enough' and change."

Image: PA

Guardiola, however, stuck his principles, and fast forward to the present day, City have experienced one of the greatest seasons in Premier League history, breaking a slew of remarkable records.

Currently on 84 points, six more than they amassed last term, City won 3-1 at Goodison, the location of one of their worst results under Guardiola, and now have the glorious opportunity of claiming their third Premier League crown in memorable fashion against arch-rivals Manchester United in the derby on April 7.

To the surprise of no-one, Guardiola isn't getting ahead of himself and says no title celebrations have been scheduled just yet.

"It's not already done! We need three - or two wins," he explained.

"I don't know absolutely anything about what they are preparing or anything like that. Nobody has said, nobody has consulted me."

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Everton

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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