In an at times heated post match press conference, Guardiola hinted that his thus far decorated managerial career may be coming to an end. 

"I will be at Manchester for the next three seasons, maybe more, but I am arriving at the end of my coaching career," he said. "It might be one of my last teams.'

Guardiola was equally frosty when pressed about the decisive Fernandinho red card.

The Brazilian was sent off just after the half-hour mark of City's 2-1 Premier League victory at the Etihad Stadium for a two-footed lunge on Johann Gudmundsson.

City coped admirably with its numerical disadvantage, however, and two quick-fire goals in the second half from Gael Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero put them ahead before Ben Mee gave the Clarets hope with 20 minutes to go.

Fernandinho's dismissal was his third in six outings for City after red cards against Borussia Monchengladbach and Chelsea, but a clearly irked Guardiola was in no mood to discuss the decision of referee Lee Mason, whom he remonstrated with angrily at full-time.

"You are the journalist, you can see and explain it," he told Sky Sports.

When it was put to him that the reporter was not paid to explain it, Guardiola replied: "Me neither. I explain about the games, not the red cards and so on."

Guardiola brought David Silva and Aguero off the bench at half-time, and was asked if it was an error not to start the duo.

"Sure, I did a big mistake, you are right," he said with a hint of sarcasm. "Yes [I corrected it], I am intelligent."