"Everybody Wants to Fire Me": Pep Guardiola Fires Back After Man City's UCL Exit

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 15:45 IST

Pep Guardiola joked “everybody wants to fire me” after Man City’s UCL exit to Real Madrid, insisting the future is bright despite growing pressure.

Pep Guardiola joked “everybody wants to fire me" after Man City’s UCL exit to Real Madrid, insisting the future is bright despite growing pressure.

The Spaniard turned to humour after Real Madrid once again ended Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League hopes.

City fell 2-1 in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, crashing out 5-1 on aggregate, marking another painful European exit under Guardiola.

To add salt to the wounds, this was the fourth time in five years that Real Madrid eliminated City from the UCL, with the one exception over that period coming in 2023 — when City went on to win the trophy for the first and only time.

Unsurprisingly, the questions came thick and fast about Guardiola’s future — who is now in the final 15 months of his contract.

The Spaniard didn’t hold back or lose his sense of humour.

“Everybody wants to fire me," Guardiola said. “One day I will come out here and say ‘bye, bye guys’."

He then doubled down with a sarcastic jab at expectations:

“I should’ve won six Champions Leagues to be recognised… yeah, yeah, for sure."

Pressure Builds After Another Exit

Despite unprecedented domestic success, the Champions League continues to define perceptions around Guardiola’s tenure at City.

Now a decade into his time in Manchester, his longest stint at any club, scrutiny is only intensifying.

Still, Guardiola struck a defiant tone, stating, “The future will be bright, and next season we will be back."

While Europe is done, City’s campaign is far from finished.

They remain in contention for multiple trophies and are chasing Arsenal in the Premier League title race, with nine games to go.

A major opportunity awaits this weekend too — a Carabao Cup final clash at Wembley that could deliver both silverware and a psychological edge in the PL title race.

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