Pep Guardiola laughed off the idea that he is the main reason behind Manchester City’s dominance, as rivals hope for his departure.
Guardiola is one win away from making English football history by winning four consecutive league titles, and his overall record would stand at six in eight years with the Blues. City’s unparalleled consistency has started a conversation about how good it is or isn’t for the same team to win every year.
However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp – the only other man to win the title in the past seven years – spoke of how close they had run City in two other titles races as he prepares to quit the Premier League, using the examples of Vincent Kompany’s goal against Leicester in 2019 and Rodri’s non-handball at Everton in 2022 to highlight his point.
Guardiola agreed that Liverpool could have won those titles just as Arsenal could have won last season and could yet win this year.
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The City manager also praised his backroom staff for their contributions in keeping the players as fit as possible during the season. City will enter the final day with just Ederson ruled out, while Kevin De Bruyne will hope to prove his fitness in training after getting a kick on his Achilles at Tottenham.
“It’s wrong,” said Guardiola. “If we win every season by 20 points, I’d say I’m a genius. But it’s not. The Premier Leagues we won versus Liverpool, they could have won. Arsenal could win.
“My judgement of the team, how they behave, nothing changes. My opinion on Liverpool nothing changes if they win or don’t win. I know here just prizes the winners, and the winners smell good, everyone want to compete. It’s not the case.
“There’s a lot of work behind [us]. Like Liverpool was, and Arsenal this season, there is a lot of work. Nothing because what we have done in the past gives you already.
“A lot of work for all departments, how many backroom staff, medical departments, physios department, how they care all season. Every season few few injuries. Injuries are always there, but the balance is ridiculous how good it is.
“It’s because there is a lot of work, care for the players. Every single day hours and hours being involved to the players – you have to do this to be fit. Otherwise you cannot be where we are.”
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Pep Guardiola’s men are looking to move a step closer to another Premier League title, and the FA Cup, despite having missed out on another Treble.
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