Manuel Pellegrini insists Manchester City have improved under him, despite the fact that they could miss on securing Champions League football for next season.
Pellegrini's men drew 2-2 with Arsenal on Sunday in the Chilean's final home game in charge ahead of Pep Guardiola's arrival in the summer.
City's failure to beat Arsenal means finishing inside the top four is now out of their hands as Manchester United, who sit just two points behind in the Premier League table, have a game in-hand over their rivals.
But Pellegrini, who has lifted one league title and two Capital One Cups during his three-year spell in charge, is adament City have got better under his tutelage, particularly in the Champions League after reaching the semi-finals this season for the first time in their history.
"In my time here we have improved a lot in the Champions League,” Pellegrini told BBC. “Also, for me, it's been about our style of play. There have been a lot of positive things but we must qualify again for the Champions League this season."
City could be fifth before the final day of the campaign, should United move into fourth with victory over West Ham at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday.
Pellegrini felt his side deserved to beat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium but while he couldn't his frustration at them failing to put distance between themselves and United, he has urged his charges to keep their heads up ahead of their final game against Swansea.
"We should have won that game, and I think we deserved it. We played very well. Our first 25 minutes were some of the bets here this season. But Arsenal's goals were good," he added.
"Things are now out of our hands but we will find out on Tuesday. We must keep our heads clean and chins up and try to win our last game.
"This is different to the game against Real Madrid. We wanted to reach the Champions League final but it was out first semi-final in that competition.”
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- Goal