Football: Pep Guardiola determined to lead Manchester City to quadruple next season

Coach Pep Guardiola says he will launch another attempt to win a quadruple of titles with Manchester City next season.   

City's bid to win four trophies - a feat never achieved in English football - came to an agonising end as Tottenham edged them out on away goals in a thrilling Champions League quarter-final.   

They now switch focus back to the Premier League, but their battle for top spot with Liverpool remains tight as they prepare for another critical clash with Spurs at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday (NZ time).

Guardiola, who has guided City to Carabao Cup success and reached the FA Cup final this term, said he had no intention of easing up next year.   

"I don't understand in my profession saying I don't want to win. If I lose it's because the opponent beat me or beat us," Guardiola said.   

"I'm not going to drop any competitions because maybe in the future it will be better. Who knows what's going to happen in the future?   

"I will dream next season of fighting for the four titles, that's my dream."   

Guardiola hoped his team could use their Champions League exit to motivate themselves for the remainder of the domestic season.   

"Before the game you don't know how you will play," he said.   

"But we were out [of the Champions League] other times, and we reacted well.

Tomorrow I want to see the same from my players - even [when] hurt, in tough moments, that's why we are professional."   

Guardiola dismissed criticism over his approach against Spurs, which ended with Spurs triumphing on away goals despite a 4-3 loss in Wednesday's thriller.   

Raheem Sterling thought he had scored a dramatic late winner on Wednesday only for the strike to be ruled out by VAR.   

Guardiola, who has often spoken in favour of VAR, accepted the decision and had no complaints with the concept.   

But he acknowledged his side needed to improve its defending.    

"Just try not to make mistakes with VAR, that is all. VAR is boring, talking about it.Sometimes it helps you, sometimes not," he said.   

AAP