Pep Guardiola says he could not forgive himself for leaving Manchester City during their most testing period since taking over.
Guardiola takes the reigning champions to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town, live Sky Sports on Super Sunday, aiming to make amends for the 2-2 draw against Brentford last time out.
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Highlights from Brentford v Manchester City in the Premier League
The City boss won 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles, in less than nine years at the club and ended uncertainty over his future by signing a new two-year deal last November after a run of four successive defeats.
But City's form has continued to suffer and they find themselves eighth in the table ahead of Sunday's trip to Ipswich.
“Sometimes we don't appreciate or undermine the fact that we suffer. That's life,” Guardiola said Sky Sports News.
“People always think that we have to be happy all the time, we have to show on social media how happy we are. That's a mistake, life is always up and down and when it happens, it happens, and of course it's a big challenge.
Sunday, January 19 at 4:00 p.m
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“I'm here, so when I feel that I can't take it, the club – I wouldn't forgive myself if I said now that I'm going to leave.” I wouldn't forgive myself.
“Absolutely, that doesn't mean he's coming back. I don't know, but at least I won't regret for a second that I didn't try it. Not a second. And I work and try to do it. Not for a second, impossible.
“I think most players, they want to. Most players, they want to try and they do, because I know how they run and how they suffer. But suffering is part of life, it's never perfect. It's life itself.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about Kevin De Bruyne's contract situation at the start of the year
“You can't win all the competitions you play for just one reason – because it's impossible! Even for me it's impossible. But compared to the whole period I've been here more than 500 games, 485 or 490 was a dream come true , it was heaven.
“Maybe we had one bad season, or two bad seasons, that happens in life. So we overestimate success in life too much. We're trying to get back with the club and we'll do our best.”
Pep: Haaland can 'visualize' his future at City
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After signing a brand new contract with Premier League champions Manchester City, we take a look at Erling Haaland's best goals from his time in the English top flight.
City have been handed a big boost ahead of Sunday's game, with news that it Erling Haaland has signed an extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, which is the longest contract in the Premier League and keeps the striker at the club until 2034.
“When Ferran (Man City chief executive Soriano) told me, I said “sorry, can you tell me again!?” Because I couldn't believe it. It's never happened before.
“After that it happened, but I don't think anyone pushed the other. I think both (sides) wanted it.
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Manchester City revealed Erling Haaland's new contract in a bizarre way. Courtesy of City Studios
“It's great news for the club, I hope (and expect) he's happy, otherwise he wouldn't have done it. Having this incredible talent, unique player and striker for the club for the next decade is really important.
“He wouldn't have signed the contract if he couldn't visualize his future as a footballer in this club, and the potential and challenge here – that would be impossible.
“I'm really pleased, especially pleased that he did it in a not easy moment for us as a result. And what he has done at this moment, I think, means a lot for the confidence of everyone in this club.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland trusts the club despite the allegations, which City have denied
“He knows in 10 years – I don't know what's going to happen – but he'll have different staff and players at the back. So I think he's signing because he sees City in the Premier League, of course, and he sees the potential (and) for the club to be at top, for many, many years.
“I think the fact that he likes to play in the Premier League is a great compliment to the Premier League, to the whole organisation, to everyone and he wants to play for the club for many reasons – amazing clubs, amazing teams, the year… every year it becomes everything better, and that's it.”
Watch Ipswich v Man City live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm.