Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he "does not have the words" to express his gratitude to the club's board for the faith they have shown in him.
Last month, Guardiola signed a two-year extension to his contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2025.
The Spaniard, appointed in 2016, has so far won nine major trophies during his tenure, including four of the last five Premier League titles.
"I cannot thank them enough for the confidence they have for me," said Guardiola as he prepared for City's League Cup quarter-final against Liverpool. "It would be difficult to repay what the board have shown me over many years.
"That's why it is so difficult for me to reject them for how they still want me and our staff to continue to try and do our best."
In addition to his four Premier League titles, Guardiola has also landed four League Cups and one FA Cup, but the Champions League trophy has so far eluded him.
Despite that, he says European success is not the prime motivator for committing his future to the club.
"I admit it's the trophy we want," he said. "My period here will not be complete without it.
"But it's not the only one or the reason I have extended my contract. We will do everything we can to try and win it. We have tried before and we will keep doing so."
Guardiola also congratulated City striker Julian Alvarez and his Argentina captain Lionel Messi on their World Cup win.
Alvarez played a key role in his country’s triumph while for Messi, who enjoyed great success under Guardiola at Barcelona, it was the crowning glory of an outstanding career.
Former City defender Nicolas Otamendi also played a big part in the success, which was sealed in a penalty shoot-out against France in a remarkable final on Sunday.
"For Julian, we are delighted," said Guardiola. "He played a lot and his contribution was amazing for the team, for the way they played. We have a world champion in our team.
“We are incredibly happy for him. Congratulations to him, for Nico Otamendi and, of course, personally for Leo Messi, for Argentina as a country, well deserved champions.”
As Barcelona manager, Guardiola won the Champions League twice with Messi and he hailed the little master as the greatest player of all time.
“Everyone has an opinion but nobody can doubt he’s there," said Guardiola. "I’ve said many times, for me, he’s the best. It is difficult to understand how a player can appear and do what he’s done in the last 10-15 years.
“The people who saw Pele or Di Stefano, or Maradona – they can say their favourites. In these opinions, they can have a sentimental approach.
“If he’d not won the World Cup, my opinion about what he has done for world football would not change, but it is normal for people that it depends on if they win. For him it is the final achievement of an incredible career.”
Liverpool 1 Man City 0 - player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 7. The Brazilian made a number of important saves but his best contribution was the long kick that allowed Salah the chance to score. His quick thinking opened up the game. EPA -
James Milner – 7. The 36-year-old took the battle to Foden. He was strong in the tackle and even got forward and looked to cross. It was foolish to see him as the weak link. Getty Images -
Joe Gomez – 8. The 25-year-old was unruffled by the presence of Haaland and made a great block from the striker. He made a series of interceptions and tackles. Getty Images -
Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman was composed throughout and not intimidated by Haaland’s physicality. A calming influence at the back. EPA -
Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot refused to be pinned back by City’s attack and got forward in relentless fashion. He fired one opportunity over the bar and worried the defence constantly. AFP -
Fabinho – 7. The Brazilian was kept busy protecting the defence, a job he carried out effectively. When he got the chance, he looked to probe forward. Henderson replaced him in the 73rd minute. AP Photo -
Thiago Alcantara – 6. The 31-year-old battled in the midfield but struggled to impose his trademark passing on the game in hectic conditions. AFP -
Harvey Elliott – 6. The 19-year-old made sure that he did not leave the defence exposed. That limited his forward motion and when given an opportunity by Salah, he got caught in two minds. He was withdrawn for Carvalho in the 73rd minute. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah – 9. The Egyptian was a constant menace for the defence. He was foiled by a fingertip save by Ederson but when he turned Cancelo and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, the striker made no mistake and scored a brilliant goal. He came off in the last minute for Alexander-Arnold. PA -
Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese threatened with direct running but his backtracking might have been better. He got into good positions in the second half but was not picked out by teammates. A stoppage-time injury ended his participation and he was replaced by Tsimikas. PA -
Roberto Firmino – 6. The Brazilian was sucked deep to help out the midfield and that limited his attacking contribution. He made way for Nunez in the 72nd minute. AFP -
SUBS: Darwin Nunez – 6. The Uruguayan replaced Firmino in the 72nd minute. He had a chance to set up Salah or Jota but decided to shoot instead. It was an awful decision. A cross to Alexander-Arnold was better but just too heavy. Getty -
Jordan Henderson – 6. The 32-year-old joined the action with 17 minutes to go at Fabinho’s expense. He pressed City hard and screened the defence. Getty Images -
Fabio Carvalho – 6. The Portuguese came on for Elliott in the 73rd minute. He ran at the defence and was brought down a number of times. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – N/A. The 23-year-old had a brief taste of the action after replacing Salah in the last minute. He got into a great position in front of goal but Nunez’s cross was just too heavy. AFP -
Kostas Tsimikas – N/A. The Greek was sent on deep in stoppage time when Jota was injured. He was on the pitch for a matter of seconds. PA -
MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson – 6. The Brazilian made a series of saves and his fingertip effort to turn a Salah shot around the post was top class. He could do nothing when the Egyptian bore down unchallenged on goal to score the decisive goal. Getty -
Joao Cancelo – 4. The Portuguese misjudged the ball and was turned by Salah for Liverpool’s goal. It was the defining moment in the game. He will be disappointed with that and his distribution was poor, too. Getty Images -
Manuel Akanji – 5. The Swiss did well in the first half but began to struggle later in the game. He was unable to do much going forward. AFP -
Ruben Dias – 6. The Portuguese’s lack of pace was exposed by Salah but he was strong in the tackle and in the air. AP Photo -
Nathan Ake – 6. The Dutchman was composed and firm in the challenge. He was able to get forward and help with attacks. Reuters -
Kevin De Bruyne – 6. Much of City’s threat came through the Belgian but he was not as influential as he would have liked. He had a low-key first half but was better after the break. EPA -
Rodri – 5. The Spaniard was unable to take control in the midfield. He started poorly but improved as the game went on. AFP -
Ilkay Gundogan – 6. The German looked to connect with Haaland and produced moments of danger. His final ball was not as precise as usual. He was replaced by Alvarez with a minute to go. AP Photo -
Bernardo Silva – 4. The Portuguese did lots of running but it had little impact. His passing was scattergun and he made bad choices. EPA -
Erland Haaland – 6. The Norwegian got into great positions and had some chances but could not convert. His pull on Fabinho’s shirt led to City’s goal being disallowed. Reuters -
Phil Foden – 3. The 22-year-old was up against Milner but never tested the veteran’s legs. His shot and pass selection were poor. EPA -
SUB: Julian Alvarez – N/A. The Argentine replaced Gundogan in the final minute. He was not on the pitch long enough to have any impact. EPA
Turning to the League Cup clash with Liverpool, Guardiola called for calm from the supporters after the last encounter between the two sides in October saw a number of unpleasant incidents on and off the field.
On Wednesday he had a message for the fans of both sides: “Be supporters and support your team unconditionally in the good moments and bad moments.
“In this country (these games) are the best example. Enjoy the good games with the amount of quality players on both sides.”
City had 16 players away at the World Cup, more than any other side. As a result of differing holidays, fitness levels in the squad now vary.
Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne played in a friendly against Girona last week but Rodri, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have only been back in training for a few days.
Those involved with England and Portugal, along with goalkeeper Ederson, were due to report back later, while Alvarez will not return until next week.
Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Gomez and Cole Palmer were not involved in the tournament.
Guardiola said: “Step by step people come back. We are happy they are back, in general they played really well.
“I have a feeling that the players in the World Cup are in a better condition than the players who were here. Sergio, Erling, Riyad, Cole, they missed a little bit.
“Tomorrow is important for players not at the World Cup to regain the rhythm.”
