Pep Guardiola has accepted the challenge of winning an elusive Champions League trophy with Manchester City.
The Spaniard defended the Premier League crown after a photo-finish of a title race and completed a domestic treble by picking up the FA Cup and the League Cup. But his poor run in Europe with City has always drawn criticism.
In the last two seasons, City have failed to breach past the quarter-final stage of the tournament, with first Liverpool and then Tottenham progressing at their expense.
In his season wrap-up interview, Guardiola admitted that his side must accept the challenge of winning the Champions League to be considered one of the best.
“Football always gives you another opportunity. People say until we win the Champions League, we can’t be considered one of the greatest. It’s OK, we accept the challenge,” he told City TV.
“A decade ago, no one could have considered this club could win the Premier League. Now the people start to talk about the Champions League. That’s a first step, that’s good.
“If it happens next season, it will be next season. With me or without me, with this group or with another group. Maybe one day it will happen. If it doesn’t happen – unlucky. But we’ll be trying to do it.”
“I’ve won many prizes by one inch,” added Guardiola. “And we lost this one [against Tottenham] by one inch.
“Right now, we are the happiest group in the world. At the same time, we are conscious that doing the same we could have lost the Premier League.
“I’ve won a Champions League semi-final with one shot on target in the second leg. And I’ve lost one with 30 shots on target – against the same team, Chelsea. You have to work to control as much as possible.”
