Pep Guardiola says all managers know they will get the sack if they don’t get results after Frank Lampard was fired by Chelsea. The former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder was in charge at Stamford Bridge for just over 18 months but leaves following five defeats in eight games with ex-Paris St-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel expected to take over.

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has never been sacked in 12 years of management but says he never takes his position for granted.

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“Young and old managers – here you have to win,” Guardiola said. “The people talk about projects and ideas but it doesn’t exist. You have to win, if not, you will be sacked. 

“I respect the decision from Chelsea, of course, but a huge hug for Frank and hopefully I can see him soon. When the lockdown will be over I can go to the restaurant to see him again. “He was appointed at a team like Chelsea after the good job he had done at Derby County, these people deserve it. But we depend on the results, not the way we play, not about philosophy or these kinds of things or the projects.

“You have to get results. If you don’t, you will be replaced by another manager.” City, meanwhile, have the chance to return to the top of the Premier League on Tuesday night if they can beat relegation-threatened West Brom. The Baggies were the last side to take any points off City when they drew at the Etihad Stadium on December 15, although Slaven Bilic was sacked before their next game.

Sam Allardyce took over and Guardiola is aware that his reputation and record for rescuing clubs from difficult situations, as he has done previously at Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace, deserve respect. “Sam Allardyce is a genius to take these teams when everyone believes it is over and get results,” Guardiola said. “It happens once, twice, three times you can’t say it is lucky because he has done it so many times. 

“There is not much time after the tough Cheltenham game but the training session today was really good and we’re optimistic to travel to West Bromwich tomorrow.” A win would move City a point above neighbors Manchester United, but despite a 10-game winning streak, Guardiola is taking nothing for granted.

“The leader is United, they are top of the league,” he added. “When we have the same games altogether we will see them but for now we are not top of the league and the difference in the top six is so small. “I don’t see the table, just like I didn’t watch it much when we were 12th and nine points behind the leaders. Now it is the same, my focus after Cheltenham was West Bromwich.”

Goal.com