Pep Guardiola sends Jose Mourinho sack warning as Man City look to add to Tottenham woes

Posted Saturday, February 13, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has been warned by Pep Guardiola he's not safe from the sack despite his trophy-winning reputation.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says reputation or past glories will not save Tottenham rival Jose Mourinho from the sack if the wins dry up.

The City boss hopes to load more pressure on his old adversary when his league leaders take on Tottenham at the Etihad on Saturday evening.

And with the problems mounting for Mourinho, Guardiola said even his incredible track record will not be enough unless things turn around on the pitch.

That’s despite Spurs having a League Cup final to look forward to against City in April, with the Londoners without silverware since 2008.

"We don’t have time here, you have to win and get results and convince the players it’s the best way,” said Guardiola.

"Results help you to convince them much easier.

Pep Guardiola sends Jose Mourinho sack warning as Man City look to add to Tottenham woes (Image: GETTY)

"It’s a process you have to prove every day. I understood from the beginning it’s not a job you can stop because you won yesterday.”

Since inflicting City’s last defeat on November 21, Spurs have won just four of 12 league games and were dumped out of the FA Cup by Everton in a 5-4 thriller on Wednesday night.

They still have the Europa League and the Carabao Cup to win but they appear resigned to a top-four fight having been billed as title contenders at one stage this season.

Guardiola continued: “There is pressure every day on the manager shoulders, we are in a weak position. We have to prove it every day. That’s why it’s fascinating.

"It would be boring to say I’m leaving for the way I’ve done it, the titles we won two years ago.

Pep Guardiola sends Jose Mourinho sack warning as Man City look to add to Tottenham woes (Image: GETTY)

"You have to be scared to lose, have warnings, enjoy it the day after or the night if you win and then be thinking about the next one.

"It’s the only way to survive in this business. To prove yourself and show again and again and again you are able to stay here. If not you will be relegated for sure.”

Guardiola has faced Mourinho 24 times, more than any other rival, having enjoyed a thrilling rivalry in Spain at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

And while they have had some a fiery confrontations in the past Guardiola insists relations are now calmer.

"Absolutely. I prefer this,” the Catalan declared. “I’m a manager not to come out and speak about something bad about the other managers, clubs. I’m here to talk football.

"I have a good relationship with him, we can agree or disagree but it’s not a big problem. His business is Tottenham, or before United, mine is city.

"When he was in Manchester we were neighbours. He lived 100 metres away in the Lowry Hotel and we saw each other once or twice in restaurants.”

Spurs take on City trailing the pace-setters by 11 points although they are only four points off Liverpool in the final Champions League spot.

The north Londoners also have a game in hand on the reigning Premier League champions and after City, take on West Ham and Burnley either side of their Europa League last 32 clash with Austria’s Wolfsberger.