sack ache
PEP GUARDIOLA fears he will be axed at Manchester City if he fails to win any silverware this term.
City, who started last season well, have won five of their opening six Premier League games and netted 21 goals already.
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But speaking to Gary Lineker on the BBC’s Premier League Show, Guardiola said: “We will be judged on how many titles we win — if not we will be a failure, we know that.
“I am happy to be here but it depends on the success we will have.
“With big clubs like Manchester City, if you cannot win then you cannot stay.”
He went on to admit he "needs a trophy this season" and discussed how hard it can be to keep all his squad happy.
He continued: "I understand completely when they are unhappy being absent, completely.
"My door is open 24 hours, but when they ask why they are not playing I say 'I don’t know, I have just picked the other one, because also he deserves to play'."
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Man City smashed Crystal Palace 5-0 last time in the Premier League, and next up they face a tricky tie away to Chelsea on Saturday.
Guardiola added: "Last season was so exciting, it was easy to win, and after look what happened.
"We have the feeling now that we are going to score a goal. That is our feeling right now. Last season we didn’t have that.
"We created a lot but we didn’t score the goals."
Guardiola on managing Lionel Messi
"Sometimes I think Messi is still there even though he is not anymore.
He is probably the best player ever, by far. Messi is the beauty, believe me.
He is smarter, he is faster, he makes better managers of the managers he is with. He makes better team-mates, it is something special.
He would be good in the Premier League, definitely. It would be great to have him here.
But I think it is the right place to finish his career in Barcelona."
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He admitted this weekend's opponents "like to play" along with title rivals Spurs, before having a sly dig at city rivals United.
He said: "United play long ball, second ball up to Fellaini, Pogba, when they have the quality to play.
"But I have a lot of respect for my neighbours."
After admitting he find it difficult to discuss his long term future as he "doesn't know what is going to happen", Guardiola admitted he would like to manage his country Spain.
He added: "I would like to be manager in the World Cup, the European Cup, I would like to feel it."
Watch the full interview in The Premier League Show on BBC iPlayer
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