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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reveals demands from owner Sheikh Mansour

Pep Guardiola met with Manchester City chiefs at a training camp in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
Pep Guardiola met with Manchester City chiefs at a training camp in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

Pep Guardiola has laid out his ambitions for next season following discussions with Manchester City chiefs earlier.

Club owner Sheikh Mansour had long been an admirer of the Spanish coach before finally luring him to the Etihad Stadium last season.

He has just delivered the Premier League title to the Abu Dhabi billionaire but failed to secure a spot in the last four of the Champions League.

Most people suspected that success in Europe would be the main priority for City’s ownership, however Guardiola paints a different picture of his job requirements.

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He said: “The Premier League is the priority next season, absolutely.

“When I came here the chairman and sporting director never said ‘you have to win the Champions League’ or ‘you have to win the Premier League’.

“They didn’t ask me for one title. They didn’t ask me that. They said to do what you believe to do and try to be constant for a long time, for as long as possible.

“Maybe I am wrong but before you win the Champions League as a club you have to win more Premier Leagues in a row first, to get respect in Europe that you are a top club.

Guardiola during his meeting with the Sheikh in Abu Dhabi.
Guardiola during his meeting with the Sheikh in Abu Dhabi.

“If you don’t, I realise this season it will be so complicated. Of course we are going to try but I don’t know if we are like a club to have the power on an off the pitch to achieve and to get there. So I would prefer, like this season, to be solid in the Premier League.

“I will never say we are in the best team in the Premier League and not have respect like Arsenal, for example, or what Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson did in different periods of his career with United. Or Chelsea in 2005 and 2006.

“I agree with people saying that we have to win more at that level. Maybe you can say we were one of the best teams in one season. Okay. You can say that.

“But the minute people ask whether we are one of the best teams, you have to win back to back, more titles in a row. I don’t know if we are able to do that.”

“What I have experienced for two seasons with this club in Europe, it is better to be focused on the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and then after try to arrive at the best moment possible for the Champions League.”

Guardiola is a two-time Champions League winner after triumphing with Barcelona but has often struggled in the competition since leave the Camp Nou.