Pep Guardiola has warned that he still has unfinished business at Manchester City - after rubbishing suggestions that no other manager can win the Premier League while he’s around.
City will become the first team to be crowned champions in four successive seasons if they beat West Ham at the Etihad - and that would also mean they have won an incredible six titles in seven years.
There have been suggestions that the Catalan could walk away from the final 12 months of his contract after making more history. But the City boss has no doubts that he will be back again next season.
“Yes, I have a contract,” said Guardiola. “I want to be here next year, yes. It is wrong (that City’s dominance is bad for the Premier League). If the narrative was that I was winning by 20 points I would say ‘yes, I’m a genius, I’m so good.’
“But it’s not. The Premier Leagues we have won the others could have won - and Arsenal can win this one. My opinion about Liverpool for all these years, nothing changes. A win is a win.
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“The winners smell good, and everyone wants to copy that. There is a lot of work behind it - a lot. Like Liverpool were and like Arsenal have been this season. There is a lot of work. Nothing you have done in the past gives you the right (to win). It’s completely the opposite.
Guardiola is seeking his sixth Premier League title in seven years (Offside via Getty Images)“It’s a lot of work for all departments – the backroom staff, the medical department, the office department, how they care about those few, few inches. It is ridiculous how good the balance is. Otherwise you cannot be where we are.”
Guardiola finished third behind Antonio Conte’s Chelsea in his first season as City boss, while Jurgen Klopp guided Liverpool to the title in 2020 ahead of the Sky Blues. Two of City’s previous title wins under the 53-year-old have been sealed at the expense of Liverpool on the final day. And after rallying Arsenal to the title with two games to spare last year, the champions know that Mikel Arteta ’s side can snatch the crown if they slip up against the Hammers and the Gunners beat Everton at the Emirates.
Guardiola and City have been pushed all the way by Arsenal (PA)City became the first team to rack up a century of points in 2018. Twelve months later they became the first club to win a domestic Treble. Last year, they emulated Manchester United ’s Treble triumph by lifting the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. And next Saturday, they face United in the FA Cup Final for the second successive season. They hope to travel to Wembley with the chance of becoming the first club to clinch a double Double.
Guardiola believes City’s success is down to having a squad of players who aren’t afraid to challenge him. He said: “We’ve had conflicts this season, between them, between me. It is normal. It is how they solve it, that is the key. I know they will be so focussed. Everybody knows what we are playing for. None of us will get the chance to win four-in-a-row again, it is impossible. It won’t happen again in our life.
“We have to live it, we have to enjoy it. I have said many times about these huge personalities that without them we have no chance. The players have already had a good season - and nothing changes depending on the last two games.
“West Ham, especially the four players they have up front, can create something unexpected. That is what I am concerned with at the moment.”
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