Sunday 19 March 2017 16:13, UK
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has never claimed he could guarantee the same levels of success he enjoyed at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
But Guardiola says he can guarantee hard work and that he is expecting better from City next season.
Expectations were high when Guardiola arrived at the Etihad but he was speaking at the end of a week in which City exited at the last-16 stage of the Champions League, a 3-1 loss at Monaco sending them out on away goals after a 5-3 first leg win.
Guardiola had never failed to reach the semi-finals in seven previous Champions League campaigns with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and third-placed City are also 13 points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League.
But, speaking ahead of a Nissan Super Sunday clash with Liverpool, Guardiola said: "I never came here and said we are going to win one title.
"I never said I am going to win the treble, I never said I was going to win the double. I never said it. I never said it on my first day in Barcelona.
"I promise a lot of work. Few guys can beat me in that, I work a lot. I am so proud of that.
"I never promise titles, never in my life, even when I went to Bayern Munich after they won the treble with Jupp Heynckes. Never. Just work."
Guardiola was criticised for selecting an attacking line-up in Monaco but he felt City's improved showing after the break proved his thinking was sound.
"The second half in Monaco showed me when you attack more and play more aggressive, you concede few," he added.
"That game showed me and I am even more convinced what I want to do."
Guardiola won trophy after trophy during his time with Barcelona and Bayern Munich but he pointed out: "Football managers around the world don't all win titles during the season.
"That is the normal situation, my career is the exception.
"Of course we want to win titles, everyone wants to win titles, we play for that and we fight for that.
"When I arrived here I said I wanted to play good, win games and win titles, as much as possible, definitely - but I think all colleagues in the Premier League and around the world at big clubs think the same.
"I am here with big expectations because I won a lot in Barcelona and Bayern Munich but sometimes you don't win.
"I will try to learn from that and speak to the people close to me about how we can improve and make the team better next season.
"It is a no-ending job. Always you can do better and better.
"That's why I am confident we will be better next season."
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