Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists he is still happy at the club.
City are fourth in the Premier League – their lowest position since the end of Guardiola’s first season in 2017 – and a 3-1 loss to Liverpool a fortnight ago left them nine points behind the Reds.
“Why should people think I’m not happy? Because we lost at Anfield or I’ve lost three games this season?” he said before Saturday’s match with Chelsea.
“That’s an odd reason to say I’m not happy or satisfied – I want to stay.”
After winning back-to-back titles and smashing goals and points records along the way last year, Guardiola insists he is liking the “challenge” of this season.
City broke the Premier League points record in 2017-18 when they became the first club in English top-flight history to reach 100 for the season. It took another 98 to edge out Liverpool last term.
From their present position, Guardiola knows the odds of City joining Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United as the only sides to win three championships in a row are slim.
But that just fuels his passion for the job – and Guardiola says he is intent on seeing out the remainder of his contract, which expires in 2021, at the very least.
“We don’t have a joker in our pocket,” he said.
“I know, all around the world, people are saying the Premier League is done.
“But if people think I am going to resign for these results, they don’t know me. I like this challenge. I love to be in this position. If the club wants me next season, I want to be here 100%.”