Pep Guardiola revealed why he has never been sacked in his managerial career

Pep Guardiola revealed why he has never been sacked in his managerial career

Pep Guardiola gave brilliant answer when asked why he’s never been sacked
Pep Guardiola gave a priceless answer when asked why he has never been sacked as a manager.

Guardiola has enjoyed a stellar managerial career, winning titles everywhere he has been.

From his legendary spell at Barcelona, where he won two Champions League titles, to his hugely successful stint at Bayern Munich and, of course, his trophy-laden career as Manchester City boss.

He’s won an impressive six Premier League titles and inspired the club to their first ever Champions League triumph in their treble-winning campaign.

Unlike many managers in football, Guardiola has never been sacked, having always left on his own accord.

In a Man City press conference back in 2023, he was once asked why he has never been sacked as a manager.

“I will tell you a secret, we win games,” he brilliantly replied. “If we don’t win games, I would be sacked.”

Guardiola added: “It’s not because my hair is better than the other ones. I’m not sacked because we win a lot of games.

“In this country when I was younger it always had the tradition to keep the managers.

“What happens today with a lot of pressure for everyone, a lot of investment, in a way I understand there’s a lot of pressure,” he continued.

“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It is what it is, you have to adapt.”

Pep Guardiola celebrates a Manchester City goal on the touchline. image: Getty
Pep Guardiola celebrates a Manchester City goal on the touchline. image: Getty

Man City have won four league titles on the bounce but a fifth championship appears extremely unlikely considering their form this season.

The Blues have already lost six league games this campaign as Guardiola’s side endure an uncharacteristic slump.

Despite the club’s form, the hierarchy have shown no interest in parting ways with the 53-year-old, expressing their faith in the manager.

Guardiola addressed the sack claims ahead of his side’s game against cross-town rivals Manchester United, which they lost 2-1.

“I would regret leaving now. I could not sleep, even worse than now. Leaving the situation, impossible,” he explained. “They could sack me. That can happen. But leaving now? No option. If the board is not happy with me, they can do it. But leaving now in this position, no chance. When I feel it is time to leave, I will leave. What we have done is what we have done. The satisfaction to do it is done. I don’t have any target to make my life or my time here completely different. Impossible.”

Pep-Guardiola-1
Manchester City are now in talks about signing a new a player, with Pep Guardiola looking to bolster his side this month after what’s been a disappointing season so far.

Man City make it back-to-back wins with victory over West Ham
Following a run of just one win in nine Premier League games that stretched from the start of November all the way to Boxing Day, Manchester City are back to winning ways. After beating Leicester City 2-0 just before the turn of the year, Guardiola’s side began 2025 by thrashing West Ham United 4-1 at the Etihad.

Erling Haaland scored twice on the day to take his total in the top flight to 16 for the season, while Phil Foden was also on the scoresheet for just the second time this campaign.

Erling Haaland in action for Manchester City
But while the scoreline evoked memories of the City of old, the performance once again left little to be desired, with the Sky Blues conceding chance after chance which, fortunately for them, West Ham wasted.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola conceded there is still much work to be done if his side are to return to the sort of form that saw them win four Premier League titles on the bounce.

Man City hold talks for Lens defender Khusanov
To help City get back to their old ways, Guardiola is reportedly looking to bolster his squad in the January transfer market, and, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, is keen on RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov. There were reports saying that City had joined the race for the player, and there has now been a development.

Romano has now claimed that City are holding active talks with the Ligue 1 side for the 20-year-old centre-back, who has impressed for the Blood and Gold this term.

Khusanov, who already has 18 caps for the Uzbekistan national team, has been described by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig as “an excellent” centre-back and “the future legend of Uzbek football.”

Lens head coach Will Still has also lauded Khusanov, saying of him earlier this season: “ he added.

Abdukodir Khusanov
Meanwhile, Lens director Pierre Dreossi recently told DAZN, per the Mail Online, that Khusanov “will leave” the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in January, but that “there haven’t been any good bids yet.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s former agent, Jorge Mendes, has been put in charge of trying to sell Khusanov, and it looks as if a move to the Etihad will be one to watch.

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