Pep Guardiola has hinted his glorious reign as Manchester City manager could be cut short if his players do not respond to his rallying cry to halt a slip in standards.
Guardiola called out his stars for lacking the hunger and desire to reel in Arsenal at the top of the Premier League despite coming from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham 4-2 on Thursday.
The Catalan coach has overseen the most successful spell in the club’s history by winning four league titles in the past five seasons.
Guardiola even extended his contract at the Etihad to 2025 in November, but admitted he has personal experience of the slacking off that comes with success as a player.
“I won four La Ligas in a row when I was a football player,” said the former Barcelona midfielder.
“In the fifth (season) I was not the same, in the sixth I was not the same. I was not starving enough. I thought ‘How good I am’ and Madrid beat me the fifth and the sixth.
“I understand (the challenge) but I am here to do it. The chairman knows that. I want to be here, otherwise I don’t sign.
“But if I lose the team or I lose something I cannot be here. Here people don’t wait.”
Arsenal hold a five-point lead over Guardiola’s men and have a game in hand.
However, City could cut the gap at the top to two points with victory over Wolves on Sunday before Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates.
City and Arsenal also still have to face each other three times this season, the first of which comes in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.