Manchester United legend and Sky pundit Neville reckons Guardiola’s style can’t succeed in the Premier League.
Neville claimed City don’t have enough hardened individuals to dig out the results through the tough winter months.
But Guardiola has told Neville he’s talking rubbish and insists he will never compromise his football principles.
The Manchester City boss, whose side host Leicester today, said: “Gary Neville played in England, he didn’t play in another country - so he can’t compare (cultures).
“He was a manager in another country, but not a player. I think it’s physical here because of the way the referees conduct the games.
“You have to be more physical. Teams play more often here and contact is allowed more. That is the only difference I have found.
“But the game is 11 v 11. Football is one ball and what quality you have, the more mentally strong you are, the more chance you have to win the games.
“But sometimes to compare here and there, my advice has to be, ‘Play it in other countries to know that’.
“The only power I have is that my teams will play the way I want to play.
“I would like to be a physical, strong team, fast with good headers. But the team is going to play the way I want to play.”
Guardiola has endured a tough debut season in English football since succeeding Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad.
He will finish the campaign without silverware for the first time in his managerial career and is under intense pressure to succeed next time round.
Guardiola is expected to make wholesale changes to his squad this summer and go on a massive spending spree.
The Spaniard revealed decisions on the futures of seven of his stars have been made - but hasn’t told them because he doesn’t want them to be distracted between now and the end of the season.
Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart, Jesus Navas and Fernando will have to wait to discover if they are still part of Guardiola’s plans.
He added: “No, no, no (they don’t know). They have to be focussed in what they have to do.
“At the end of the season they will know what happens. We’ve to be focussed to win, Saturday, Tuesday and Sunday in London.
