LONDON – A banner inside Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on Sunday was adorned with a photo of their manager with the words “Pep Guardiola, he changed football” printed across it.
The Spaniard is not about to start blowing his own trumpet during the celebrations after his side lifted the Premier League title for the fifth time in six seasons.
But his record of 11 league titles in 15 seasons at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now City, speaks for itself.
Five of those have come at City and in the next three weeks, he could take them to another level by winning the FA Cup and then the cherished Champions League to complete the treble.
While insisting that failing to conquer Europe’s summit with City by beating Inter Milan should not diminish what he has achieved, he knows his City career might ultimately be judged on whether he wins the Champions League with them.
“Fifth Premier League title in six years, I could not imagine winning five in six,” said Guardiola, after his side’s 1-0 home win over struggling Chelsea on Sunday.
“I have the feeling we’ve done something exceptional but to be considered one of the greatest, we have to win the Champions League, otherwise it’s not complete.
“We won a lot but can’t deny that it can be unfair to have to win the Champion League to give value to what you’ve done.”
City trailed Arsenal by eight points until a few weeks ago and Guardiola said that when Mikel Arteta’s side reached the halfway point with 50 points in the bag he thought it might be impossible to catch them.
But City found another gear and a run of 12 successive wins gave them 88 points from 36 matches, seven more than Arsenal, who have just one game remaining.
“The first half Arsenal did 50 points and I had the feeling they’d done something special, we were there and they felt it,” said the Spaniard, who took charge in 2016.
“Our relentlessness and refusal to give up, having to win each game, knowing it would be impossible if we don’t.”
It is the third time Guardiola has won three league titles in succession, having done so in the Spanish La Liga from 2009-11 and in the German Bundesliga from 2014-16.
The ultimate perfectionist, Guardiola demands the highest of standards from his players, which is why even world-class performers appear to get better and better under his watch.
Jack Grealish, who took a while to find his feet at City, epitomises the effect the former Spain midfielder has.
“I can’t actually speak highly enough of the manager,” said Grealish, who has dazzled for City this season.
“Listen, he’s a bit weird the way he sort of knows everything, some games I’m thinking: What’s he going to come up with today? And he comes up with different tactics every game. It’s a pleasure to work with him. I love him.”
The versatile John Stones, who has evolved from a defender into a silky midfielder, paid tribute to Guardiola’s vision.
“This title has been so enjoyable, playing in different roles, in different positions,” he said. “He’s given me a new outlook.”
City’s record-smashing forward Erling Haaland, briefly ignoring the interviewer to dance, said: “It feels unreal right now, I’m so happy. The memories I will have for the rest of my life, we have been fighting so hard.”
The strength of City’s squad was exemplified by Julian Alvarez, who has spent the season as Haaland’s understudy, scoring his 16th goal of the campaign against Chelsea to extend the champions’ unbeaten run in all competitions to 24 games.
Guardiola made nine changes from the side that thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 last Wednesday but they were still too strong for struggling Blues, languishing in 12th spot on 43 points.
Said Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard: “Pep’s work in terms of changing the team to keep moving it forward, everyone involved, gets to this level where you’re lifting trophies. There’s a load of work.” REUTERS, AFP
