Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, the former Spanish footballer and managerial maestro, insists he will quit Manchester City and return to Spain than change his playing style following his club's 4-0 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Guardiola took a gamble with his squad by starting club top scorer Sergio Aguero from the bench and then seeing his new signing Claudio Bravo being sent off for handling the ball outside the box.
The former Barcelona manager took full responsibility for the loss saying and was reported by Spanish newspaper AS as saying, "I'm responsible for what happened on Wednesday. But I'm not going to change. I'll go home before I change. I won 21 titles in seven seasons. That's three a season playing in that way."
Also read: Southampton braced for tough test at wounded City - Puel
With the shocking loss, the Spaniard knew he would have to deal with the critics and he just had a short answer, "Move on," replied Guardiola firmly to them in a press conference on Friday.
Criticism for Claudio Bravo
Pep stood strong beside Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo who came into criticism for his mistake which led to his sending off and eventually costing City the game."I know from the beginning when Claudio is going to make a mistake, he will be on the front page. Every defender, midfielder, striker missing a penalty makes mistakes but Claudio has to fight against that.”
When asked if he ever thinks about adapting his style, Guardiola replied: "You would like that? I think about that but the solution is not better than what I believe.But if you believe I am going to win 4-0 at the Camp Nou. No, I am good but not that. If it is not going well in the future, I will go. But the way we want to play, the academy will play, is the way I think is good.”
Everton manager Ronald Koeman even complimented the Spaniard appreciating his philosophy of football and Guardiola was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying, “ At Everton, one of my friends Ronald Koeman said he never faced a team playing football like Manchester City. That is the best compliment I can receive. The best title."
After a promising start to his City career, winning the first 10 games in charge, the Catalan manager has now failed to win any of his last four games for only the third time in his managerial career. Guardiola is now facing questions regarding his methodology and style of play.
Manchester City next faces Southampton at the Etihad on Sunday and Pep would need to pep up his side if they are to get back to winning ways.
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