Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has openly admitted that had he been in charge of another top club, he might have already been sacked amid the club’s recent slump in form. Despite his incredible success over the years, Guardiola is under no illusion that football is a results-driven business and City’s stuttering performances this season have raised questions, even for one of the game’s most decorated coaches.

Speaking after City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool on December 1, 2024, a match that left the reigning champions 11 points adrift of the league leaders, Guardiola acknowledged the growing pressure and taunts from rival fans. At Anfield, chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" rang out from the home crowd. Guardiola responded with a defiant gesture, holding up six fingers to symbolize the six Premier League titles he’s delivered during his tenure.

“I didn’t expect Anfield to start chanting at 0-2 that I would be sacked,” Guardiola said post-match. “Maybe I deserved to be sacked with our results! Maybe I’m still in the job because I won six Premier Leagues and a lot more.”

The comments reflect both Guardiola’s self-awareness and the reality of elite football. He admitted that his past achievements with City eight years filled with domestic trophies, record-breaking seasons, and finally the elusive UEFA Champions League title have earned him a “margin” that protects him where other managers might have fallen.

“At a top club like City, continuous victories are expected,” he explained. “And I feel the responsibility to find solutions to our current issues. I take full responsibility.”

Indeed, City’s form has been uncharacteristically erratic this season, with a six-game winless run further amplifying concerns among supporters and pundits. Yet, the club hierarchy continues to back their manager, who in November 2024 signed a two-year contract extension keeping him at the Etihad until 2027.

Guardiola, who has ruled out managing another club after his Manchester City tenure, remains fully committed to turning the situation around. However, he has left the door open for a potential move into international management in the future, hinting that leading a national team may be the next chapter of his storied career.

For now, Guardiola’s focus is squarely on revitalizing City’s campaign. With the Premier League title race slipping away and pressure mounting, he remains in constant communication with the club’s leadership and is working to spark a revival in performance and results.

The road ahead will test his resolve but if anyone has earned time and trust at the top level, it’s Pep Guardiola.