Pep Guardiola resignation message sent as City trails Liverpool with 12

Liverpool beat Tottenham 6-3 to stay 12 points clear off Pep's Manchester City on Sunday

Manchester City chiefs and fans have been told not to fear Pep Guardiola handing in his notice, despite the team's recent slump.

Following Saturday's 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, City have only managed one win in their last 12 games, leaving them potentially 12 points behind the

Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola himself acknowledged the team "struggled" at Villa Park and admitted their pressing game was "not good enough". While there has been some speculation about whether Guardiola might seek an early departure from Man City, such rumours are often quickly quashed.

Just a month ago, he committed to a new two-year contract with the club. Ex-City defender Joleon Lescott has dismissed any talk of Guardiola resigning in the near future, despite the current challenges.

Manchester City's owners and fans have been told they do not have to worry about Pep Guardiola handing in his resignation despite the team's recent poor run of form. After Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, City have just one win in their last 12 games and are 12 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. 

Guardiola himself admitted the team had "difficult times" at Villa Park and their pressing game was "not good enough". While there has been speculation as to whether Guardiola would seek an early exit from City, such rumours tend to be quickly quashed.

Just over a month ago, he signed a new two-year contract with the club. Despite the current challenges, former City defender Jolyon Lescott has dismissed any speculation that Guardiola will retire in the near future.

"I don't think Guardiola is anywhere close to resigning," Lescott said on TNT Sport post-Villa game.

"He's someone that thrives on a challenge. He will see this as a challenge. I don't think he's anywhere close to thinking about resigning."

Former Liverpool forward and co pundit added: "I think he stays. I think he leaves when he wants to. It's whether he can turn it around.

"The man's a genius. He's changed the face of football in this country. He's not had this test anywhere he's been. He's one of the greatest we've ever seen. You'd expect him to turn it around."