Manchester City vs Watford - Guardiola won't change his ways

Posted Wednesday, December 14, 2016 by PA

Pep Guardiola accepts he could face the sack if results at Manchester City do not improve - but has no intention of changing his methods.

City boss Guardiola has faced more criticism of his open style after his side's indifferent form continued with a 4-2 loss at champions Leicester on Saturday.

After opening the campaign with 10 successive wins, City have won just four of their past 15 games in all competitions.

There have been calls for Guardiola to compromise his beliefs and work on some fundamentals, such as defending and tackling, but the Spaniard is sticking to his guns.

Guardiola said: "The last month I have to accept the results have not gone well. We didn't win the last four home games, we scored four goals. I have to accept we didn't do well.

"But we have to improve what I believe, not change what I believe. When it doesn't work, you have to be strong.

"I have to accept the opinions of former players, the media, the fans because we didn't win - but I wish and hope they will give me a little more time.

"Long-term projects do not exist in football. You have to win immediately and if you don't win, you are in trouble. Then another guy has to be in charge because you have to win. The boss and the chairman are going to decide.

"But we are going to play the way I feel, (maybe) making mistakes. I cannot do something I don't feel.

"You have to minimise mistakes to win games but I believe in the way I like to play, so I'm sorry, I can't do that (change)."

Guardiola has known little but success throughout his managerial career, having won 21 trophies during spells in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The recent difficulties are unusual for him but Guardiola accepts these problems are his to resolve.

He said: "The reason why I'm here is to help them to not make mistakes. I'm the main person to blame.

"So, I'm thinking what I have to do to help them without changing because I believe in my way, with adapting to the peculiarities of the league."

Guardiola admits it may be taking him longer to adapt to the English game than he expected but is convinced he will prove himself if given time.

He said: "I did it in my former clubs and I will do it here. I thought it would be shorter to adapt here, maybe it will be longer, but I'm pretty sure it will happen."

Having been exposed by Leicester, Guardiola is now preparing himself for a rugged battle against Watford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

He said: "They can play five or four at the back, they have three strikers I like, they are really good on set-pieces, especially on the left side, and throw-ins.

"They are confident, they won at home against many good teams. I don't think it will be that different to the Leicester, West Brom and Stoke (matches).

"It will come down to the quality of the players."

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri is not about to get carried away as his side quietly close up on the top six of the Premier League.

The Hornets travel to Manchester City on the back of a 3-2 win over Everton, which lifted them onto 21 points and seventh place.

While Manchester United may now be within striking distance ahead of the next round of midweek fixtures, Mazzarri prefers to focus on sustaining his side's development over the second half of the season as they look to make sure of their continued stay in the top flight.

"We need to keep improving of course, game after game and our main objective is to stay in the Premier League and after that take everything positive to improve year after year," the Italian told a press conference.

"This is why we don't need to look at the table and even better if nobody looks at it or notices it. "

Stefano Okaka scored twice in the win over Everton, which were his first goals since a summer move from Anderlecht.

Mazzarri is confident - now the Italian striker appears over his hamstring injury problems - there is plenty more to come.

"I have known him a long time since he used to play in Italy. He is a player who is made for the Premier League, is very strong physically and also very good technically, and very generous with his team-mates," the former Napoli and Inter Milan boss said.

"Now we have to take him to the next level and I am sure he can have a big impact."