Pep Guardiola 'feared being sacked by Manchester City', reveals former advisor

Pep Guardiola was “extremely worried” about being sacked by Manchester City in his first season at the club, his former adviser has revealed. The 53-year-old broke into English football eight years ago after trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Guardiola arrived at the Etihad Stadium to replace Manuel Pellegrini and was expected to enjoy immediate success given his managerial experience. But things didn't go to plan straight away, with a six-game winless run leading to fears of the sack.

After a Champions League draw at Celtic, the Citizens were followed by a stinging defeat to Tottenham and another frustrating draw at Everton. City were then beaten 4-1 by Barcelona before drawing at home to Southampton and suffering a painful defeat to Manchester United.

Marti Perarnau, who was Guardiola's confidant, has revealed in a new book that he was very worried about being sacked for the first time in his coaching career. At the time, City were about to face Barcelona again and Guardiola feared the worst.

“Pep is extremely worried,” Perarnau wrote in an excerpt published by the Daily Mail. “He fears the club will sack him if his team loses badly to Barcelona. It would be his first sacking. Anyway. I've never seen Pep in such a difficult situation before.”

“A game of all or nothing. The manager instinctively believes that another defeat could mean the end of his role in City's project.”

Guardiola led City to a resounding 3-1 win over Barcelona despite starting the semi-final second leg. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for the Catalans, but a brace from Ilkay Gundogan and a goal from Kevin De Bruyne gave City a well-deserved victory.

The result was not enough to ease Guardiola's concerns, however, with Perarnau revealing he was still worried about losing his job until City confirmed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

“The penultimate group game, against Borussia Mönchengladbach, is fast approaching,” Perarnau recalled. “City will get the draw they need to qualify. Pep can stop worrying and start sleeping again.”

“At least that’s what he thinks. The last few months have been a nightmare. I’ve been on edge,” Pep says. His face is expressionless. As if he’s about to choke, his hand on his chest, the words come out fast. “It’s been torture since Glasgow.”

“It is only then, having taken it out, that he takes his glass of wine. He frees himself from the demons that have been harassing him since September and the start of the group stage of the Champions League. The nervousness and worry at the beginning, the anguish and torture as the weeks go by.

“Two months haunted by a level of anxiety that no one, apart from his family, was really aware of. A nagging feeling of worry that made him feel sick. They only managed a draw but, for now, on this cold November night in Germany, it is a huge relief for Pep.”