Ange Postecoglou has failed to take Tottenham into the Champions League in his first season in charge
Erling Haaland scored two second-half goals to keep City's title fate in their own hands - and end Spurs' chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
A lot of the build-up talk was around many Tottenham fans not wanting their own team to win, because that would have put arch-rivals Arsenal on the brink of winning the title.
The Australian insisted before the game that 100% of Spurs fans would want their team to win.
But on Friday he said: "I hold my hand up, I got it wrong. I was here the day before the game and I sort of mocked the whole thing.
"I got a real anxiety within me. What if we play as well as we can and they beat us 5-0?
"I'd hate to think [that] people [would be] questioning if I'd prepared the team."
Tottenham's defeat meant Aston Villa claimed the final Champions League spot.
Fifth-placed Spurs need a point at Sheffield United on Sunday to be assured of a place in the Europa League.
After the City defeat, Postecoglou - who left Celtic last summer to take the Spurs job - said the foundations are "really fragile" at the club.
"The last 48 hours have shown me that," he said post-match. "It's inside the club, outside the club. Outside, inside, everywhere."
On Friday he was asked whether the problems had been addressed.
"Not in two days, mate, no," Postecoglou said.
"I think, as I said at the time, we have some work to do. It is clear and evident and that is what we need to focus on.
"I have been determined from day one. Nothing has changed. I haven't been deterred, if that's what people are worried about.
"When you accept the role you accept what comes with it. Nothing has changed in terms of how we go about that. But you have to know where you are at."
-- Courtesy of BBC Sport