Pep Guardiola sorry about the manner of his appointment at Manchester City

The Spanish tactician joined the Cityzens ahead of the 2016-17 season but the club had announced it in February 2016.

Manuel Pellegrini led Manchester City were still in the hunt for the quadruple when the club announced that Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola would be assuming Manuel’s chair after the season was over in 2016.

Manchester City did manage to win the League Cup that year but they had to exit the FA Cup in the 5th round losing 5-1 to Chelsea FC and suffered three defeats on the trot in the league shortly after Guardiola was announced as new coach. In the Champions League, Manchester City reached the semi-finals for the first time in their history but lost to eventual winners Real Madrid CF 1-0 on aggregate.

On Wednesday, Pellegrini, who won the Premier League in his first season with City returns to the Etihad Stadium with his West Ham side. And on that light, Pep Guardiola has expressed his apologies if his untimely announcement which may have been disrespectful for Pellegrini affected the closing stages of his season in 2016.

“I think the decision was consulted by all parts, I think everybody was honest,” said Guardiola of his decision to swap Bayern Munich for City in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"I think everybody was honest. But I don't know, only Manuel can answer. I'm sorry for what happened, but the intention was not to create a problem for when he was here. I don't know.”

EVEN BIGGER BREAKING NEWS!Pep Guardiola will take over at #MCFC next season. pic.twitter.com/it7UVAgYsU

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) February 1, 2016

"I was in Munich, so I don't know what happened in the locker room and what the reason why is. But if it was the reason (they didn't win more titles) - I think nobody can know it - I'm sorry and I apologise."

Manchester City defeated Chelsea in the final of the EFL Cup on penalties which brought Guardiola level with Pellegrini’s own trophy haul at Manchester City- one league and two League Cups.

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Manuel Pellegrini migrated to China in the far east to take charge of Hebei China Fortune following his three-year spell at City before returning to the Premier League to manager West Ham United FC . Pellegrini has done a pretty decent job with the London based outfit and a seventh-place finish would be in their reach in the 11 games that remain.

Pep Guardiola thanked Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini for their spells at the club that laid the foundations for him to arrive and enjoy success.

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“In the last decade, they were involved with Mancini and Manuel and myself, with all the staff and all the players, we have created Manchester City,” he said. “I didn't build it. I didn't create it. “Many incredible players and managers, everybody, did something. 

“Hopefully we can leave something for the next manager to do that. That's the best we can do for other managers, leave something for the club - and, of course, I got something with what Manuel did here."