Sarri needs time and belief says Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has sympathised with his Chelsea counterpart Maurizio Sarri and says he should be given more time.
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| Guardiola sympathises with Sarri after Man City defeat |
However, Guardiola defended Sarri - who replaced Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge in the summer - by pointing to his own struggles in his first Premier League season and Chelsea's 2-0 victory over City in December .
The City boss also highlighted the job Sarri had done at Napoli, who City played in the Champions League last season, and suggested that the 60-year-old needed "belief" from Chelsea's owners to take the club forward.
When asked if he sympathised with Sarri, Guardiola said: "Yes of course. I know exactly what he wants to do. I think this kind of person - it always helps to make our (Premier League) football better.
"They beat us at Stamford Bridge - and against Napoli last season - they were tight games. During moments of those games, they were better than us.
"People don't understand how difficult it is. I said many times, my first year was difficult too. Some moments we played good but not consistently.
"People expect 'Okay, manager arrives, he buys players and immediately come [results]' - it needs time. It depends on the belief from the owners, the people who are in charge; they really need to believe in that.
"The main reason I decided to come to Manchester City is because my bosses, the chairman specifically, I didn't have to convince him. He knows me.
"When it's not going good, we try to find a solution. He doesn't think I'm good when I win and bad when I lose. That is the reason why I am enjoying this period at this club."
Following Chelsea's 6-0 defeat to City, Sarri headed straight down the tunnel, appearing to ignore Guardiola's outstretched handshake .
"I spoke with (Chelsea assistant) Gianfranco Zola,"
Guardiola added.
"Maurizio Sarri didn't see me. I have a good relationship with him so it is no problem at all."
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