Pep Guardiola insists winning the Champions League with Manchester City won’t be ‘mission accomplished’ for his managerial career.
City face Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Tuesday evening, as Guardiola’s side look to reach a second consecutive Champions League final and move a step closer to a maiden European triumph.
Guardiola has won three Premier League titles and five domestic cups since taking charge at the Etihad in 2016, but European success has so far proven elusive with City.
The Spaniard insists success this season won’t serve as mission accomplished, however, and says he will always have further goals and ‘dreams to reach’.
“As far as being manager, personally my accomplishment will never be accomplished, I’ll have another dream to reach,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“We decide together with the club, everyone says good, bad, accomplished or not. Up to you, not a problem, will be other players in future and I try to do it again. Nothing changed in the years I won it or didn’t win it. I try to do my best, bring the team awareness we can do it. We can beat an opponent like Madrid, stick together. This is the motive.”
Guardiola spoke on his side’s run to the semi-finals and expressed his delight with the club’s progress, having navigated a tough group stage before reaching the last four for a second consecutive campaign.
“When you start the CL season and say you’ll reach the semi-final, sign right now. PSG, Leipzig, always difficult. Every game we win in the group I’m happy.
“Once we are here, we’re focused on Real Madrid but I wouldn’t say if we don’t reach the final it’s not good. I respect my players and the opponent.”
