Pep Guardiola has given up on the title race but ruled out prioritizing cup competitions for fear of missing out on the top four after Manchester City’s latest crushing defeat.
The Premier League champions failed to reduce their 14-point deficit to leaders Liverpool after Wolves completed a stunning comeback victory on a fiery night at Molineux.
Guardiola claimed he will not allow the Champions League or domestic trophies to take precedence – even though defending the title for a second consecutive year now looks impossible. City still have an eight-point cushion over fifth-placed Wolves.
Asked if the title race is over, Guardiola told BBC Radio 5 Live:
‘The advantage is too big, yes.
‘It’s unrealistic to think about Liverpool, we think about Leicester, we have the chance to recover second place. I know the quality of my team but that’s the situation.’
‘We cannot prioritize any competition because if we do then next season we won’t be in Europe,’ Guardiola said.
‘We cannot give up otherwise we will not be in Europe. Our response is always good and we are used to being top. Now we are fighting.’
City’s stars looked visibly stunned, Kyle Walker furious as he stormed down the tunnel after they blew a two-nil lead.
Bernardo Silva said:
‘It is a really bad situation for us. A frustrating first half of the season. Nobody expected us to be this far away from Liverpool at this halfway point.
‘We have to continue now. We know that winning the title is very complicated. I wouldn’t say impossible but very difficult.’
