London, October 29 (BUS) – Pep Guardiola said he is “extremely happy” with the impact he has made at Manchester City as he prepares for his 200th Premier League game – but admitted he can’t imagine being at the club for 200 people. more.
Guardiola will reach the milestone when he visits Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and is looking to build on his record 146 wins and 25 draws in 199 league games since taking charge in 2016.
The 50-year-old led City to three Premier League titles, four League Cups and an FA Cup, while last season reaching the Champions League final, although his attempt to win the League Cup for the fifth time in a row ended with West Ham in midweek. .
Having signed him until 2023, Guardiola has no immediate plans to leave, but he smiled when asked if he could double his current tally.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said.
But the Catalan said he was proud of what the club had achieved since arriving from Bayern Munich five years ago.
“I was incredibly happy,” he said. “We had fun, we saw the team grow and grow and that is the best indication that we are doing well.
“I’m trying to adapt, I’m adapting to the Premier League for specific things and 200 games, I couldn’t be more satisfied. We did it, so we keep trying to do it…
“I have no regrets. I could not ask or ask for more than we have done so far.”
Saturday’s match will see one of the men standing as a possible successor in the opposite technical area.
Palace coach Patrick Vieira ended his football career at City before beginning the coaching path, first with City’s development team and then at sister club New York City.
Guardiola was at Bayern Munich at the time, but received a visit from Vieira who was eager to learn.
“When someone like Patrick came to Munich, you can’t imagine how honorable it was for me,” Guardiola said.
“This kind of player and character – what he did for world football – is not just on the pitch, it’s a privilege and an honour.
“He changed the dynamics and the way Palace play. They have always had really good players and it will be a real test.”
Vieira maintains a close relationship with City Football Group managing director for world soccer, Brian Marwood and is one of the many names associated with the club.
But Guardiola suggested it was an almost impossible match to predict as he expressed sympathy for Ronald Koeman after he was sacked by Barcelona this week.
“Ronald and I know exactly that we are dependent and live and we are there for the results,” he said. “No one can live without good results, neither Coman nor Pep.
“All I can say is he’s a friend of mine, wish him all the best, we can chat soon. I’m pretty sure in the end he did good things for the young players out there in the academy. It doesn’t matter what we do, we depend all the time on the results…if You want change, you need to get into another business.”
Xavi, one of the stars of Barcelona’s squad led by Guardiola, is now expected to take charge after appointing Sergi Barguan as interim coach.
“I don’t know what will happen,” Guardiola said. “Should that happen, I have no doubt that he is ready to do the job. He knows the game, he has passion and I’m sure he has more experience now than I had when I coached Barcelona.
“But Ronald Koeman knows, Serge knows, Xavi knows and I know, the success we have depends on the quality and commitment of the players.”
NS