Manchester City's former defender Joleon Lescott believes that even if the Blues fail to win the Champions League under Pep Guardiola's leadership, his love from the fans will not diminish.
Since taking over the club in 2016, Guardiola has won everything on a domestic level. In his trophy cabinet sit four Premier Leagues, four Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and two Community Shields.
However, the Blues have failed to win Europe's top competition so far. Last season, City were knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid in the semi-finals and the season prior to that they reached the final but fell at the last hurdle to Chelsea.
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Despite a lack of fortune on the Champions League stage, Lescott insisted that the legacy Guardiola has created at City will not be altered by not winning the competition. Speaking to WBD Sports, the 40-year-old said: "I think, the way the game is viewed now, and the way pretty much every team wants to play and coaches want to coach - he [Guardiola] has to have had an impact on that.
"For him to be deemed a failure in a football game or the English Premier League or football in general, it is silly to me. Regardless if he doesn't win any trophies again, City will love him."
Guardiola's future at the Etihad Stadium is currently in doubt with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign. Lescott added that the Premier League will be much more competitive whenever the Catalan coach decides to step down.
"I think he's going to be favourite to win the league every year, he's in control," he explained. "And I believe when Pep steps away it becomes more competitive, because there's more chances for teams, whereas now I think you have to be immaculate to win the league, and I don't think there are seven teams that can be immaculate - it's impossible.
"There are potentially one or two other teams, we've seen Arsenal this year, but I think to go back to a normal regime, it will have to be after he leaves because what he's demanded and created is so unique. And he’s done it year after year. That is such a difficult thing to do and that has to be respected."
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