The City boss hopes to load more pressure on his old adversary when his league leaders take on Tottenham at the Etihad on Saturday evening.

And with the problems mounting for Mourinho, Guardiola said even his incredible track record will not be enough unless things turn around on the pitch.

That’s despite Spurs having a League Cup final to look forward to against City in April, with the Londoners without silverware since 2008.

“We don’t have time here, you have to win and get results and convince the players it’s the best way,” said Guardiola.

“Results help you to convince them much easier.

“It’s a process you have to prove every day. I understood from the beginning it’s not a job you can stop because you won yesterday.”

Since inflicting City’s last defeat on November 21, Spurs have won just four of 12 league games and were dumped out of the FA Cup by Everton in a 5-4 thriller on Wednesday night.

They still have the Europa League and the Carabao Cup to win but they appear resigned to a top-four fight having been billed as title contenders at one stage this season.

Guardiola continued: “There is pressure every day on the manager shoulders, we are in a weak position. We have to prove it every day. That’s why it’s fascinating.

“It would be boring to say I’m leaving for the way I’ve done it, the titles we won two years ago.

“You have to be scared to lose, have warnings, enjoy it the day after or the night if you win and then be thinking about the next one.

“I have a good relationship with him, we can agree or disagree but it’s not a big problem. His business is Tottenham, or before United, mine is city.

“When he was in Manchester we were neighbours. He lived 100 metres away in the Lowry Hotel and we saw each other once or twice in restaurants.”

Spurs take on City trailing the pace-setters by 11 points although they are only four points off Liverpool in the final Champions League spot.

The north Londoners also have a game in hand on the reigning Premier League champions and after City, take on West Ham and Burnley either side of their Europa League last 32 clash with Austria’s Wolfsberger.