Facing up to a poor run of form, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola pointed across the city divide to ex-Manchester United boss and his hero Alex Ferguson as an example of why he shouldn't feel under any undue pressure.
Criticism has come the way of the Spaniard and his players after their latest loss, which saw them go down to a disappointing 4-2 defeat away to Leicester City.
After winning their first 10 games of the season in succession, the Citizens have won just four of the proceeding 15 in all competitions.
"Ferguson, my idol, took years to win the league," said Guardiola, when asked if he felt he was failing. "Liverpool, a historic club, have gone many years without winning. Give me time guys.
"I hope I'm given time as all coaches have struggled in English football, not just myself. Of course, we have to accept that in the last month we haven't been doing well and I won't defend that.
"In this world, when things aren't going well, you have to accept the criticism but I hope that you will give me more time."
The former Barcelona coach also shouldered much of the responsibility for things going wrong of late at the Etihad Stadium but also believes that but for one specific result, things could look much better at present.
"We will continue playing football as we have been," he continued. "I think a lot about how I want to play. Coaches always look to win but in football, anything can happen.
"What happened against Chelsea [a 3-1 loss], we didn't deserve that. If that hadn't happened, we would be leading the Premier League.
"We have to minimise our mistakes, especially in defence. I am the main culprit as my job is to help players avoid making these mistakes."
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