Pep Guardiola’s squad were crowned 2020/21 champions earlier this week in the wake of Manchester United’s loss to Leicester.
It’s proved a remarkable triumph – all the more so given it has been achieved in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic with no fans present at games and a gruelling schedule shoe-horned into eight relentless months.
Like many others, former City and England goalkeeper Corrigan – who chalked up more than 600 games for the Club across three memorable decades – has watched with admiration at the way Guardiola’s City have met and answered every challenge.
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And he says a superbly drilled watertight defence and formidable central armoury have proved vital foundations with City conceding just 26 goals to date – six fewer than any other club.
“Our defence has been absolutely impeccable throughout the season,” Corrigan asserted.
“The old adage is that you have to have a really top goalkeeper, two good central defenders, a strong central midfield and a potent attack.
“The backbone is always straight through the middle and they have really done it well this year from the goalkeeper through.
“And if I had been fortunate enough to play behind that defence, I’d have taken a pair of slippers and cup of tea out on the pitch with me as they are that good!
“The team didn’t have the best of starts this season, but they quickly got their act together.
“It’s difficult to put words to what they have done.
“Everyone was writing them off when we were eighth or ninth and then all of a sudden, it’s just changed and it has been wonderful to watch.”
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Corrigan also says that it has proved a collective effort across the board with the entire squad playing a significant role in our success.
“Everybody has done their job. It has been a real collective effort which the best teams have,” Corrigan pointed out.
“John Stones have been amazing in his response to what happened to him and all the lads have responded to what the manager wants them to do.
“Looking further up field, you also can’t leave Phil Foden out. I think the young man has been an absolute revelation this year.
“But they have all chipped in. It’s not like it was before where you maybe had just one or two players scoring most of the goals.
“It has been right across the board. The whole package of this season has been extraordinary.
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“You need your players to step up to the plate and deliver and they have done it to a man.”
Corrigan also believes the single-minded focus displayed by the boss and the City squad – married to the relentless quest to achieve success has proved an irresistible blend.
And the City icon credits the desire and hunger of Guardiola and his players with helping maintain incredible standards across the course of this most challenging of seasons.
“Every game has been a massive challenge and the manager always wants the players to show they are capable of getting every trophy we can,” the former England keeper added.
“He has spoken about just focusing on winning the next game and that is what we have done.
“And it’s the way we have achieved it too.
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“Some of the football we have played has been phenomenal and amongst the best I have ever seen.
“You have to give enormous credit to the manager and the coaching staffs.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to watch.”
