Friday 12 May 2017 23:35, UK
Pep Guardiola insists he will not change his philosophy despite a trophyless first season at Manchester City.
Ahead of their third-to-last game of the campaign against Leicester, live on Sky Sports 1HD on Saturday lunchtime, Guardiola admits his first season at the Etihad has been a failure.
Sky Sports' football expert Gary Neville said on Monday Night Football that it would "defy logic" if Guardiola managed to win the Premier League by sticking to his favoured formula.
But Guardiola has hit back, saying: "Gary Neville played in England, he didn't play in other countries, so he cannot compare.
"Football is football everywhere and the more quality you have, the stronger mentality you have, the more chances you have to win the games.
"The only power I have is the team is going to play the way I want to play. Of course I would like to have physical, strong teams, good at headers, fast. I like that but the team is going to play the way I want to play. I'm not going to dismiss that way.
"I like high pressing, I want to improve the second balls, I want to make a good build-up, I want to play quick as much as possible, but at the end it depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to adapt the philosophy of the club with the players we have, and buy the players we need to play in that way. That is what we are looking for.
"How can I convince my players to play another way that I don't feel? The players are so intelligent, they know you are lying to them. When I am sitting there also I am a fan, I want to enjoy seeing my team playing."
City need to win their remaining matches to secure third spot and qualify for the Champions League, and Guardiola has cast a rueful eye across Manchester as Jose Mourinho and United prepare for a Europa League final.
He said: "Congratulations to Chelsea and the other teams. Manchester United is going to win titles and we aren't going to win titles. Most of them have history and tradition and a good team, good managers to win the titles, but just one can win.
"If you judge me for the titles we achieve or not, it was not a good season. It's simple like that. I've learned a lot. I'm so satisfied for many, many things we have done, but it's not enough. All the six teams are here fighting for the Champions League qualification. We're here to win titles."
