City make the short trip to Old Trafford on Sunday to tackle Manchester United in what will be the first derby since we emulated our cross-city rivals by securing last season’s famous Treble.
That historic achievement – allied to this term’s UEFA Super Cup success – further illustrated how under the stewardship of Guardiola City have become the most successful side in England for the past six years.
All told, the Catalan has overseen the accumulation of 15 major trophies since he arrived at the Etihad in 2016.
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It’s marked the most successful period in City’s 129-year history and that procession of silverware – including five Premier League trophies – has also seen the Club assume United’s former mantle of being England’s leading and most consistently successful team.
But addressing the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of the 191st derby, the boss said the most satisfying aspect of his reign had been the relentless hunger and desire of his players to try and achieve more and how they never rested on their laurels.
Asked about how proud he was to have seen City become England’s leading side, Pep said: “Absolutely. The most (pleasing thing) is the fact that it’s not just one year we do something good.
“This can happen. But for so many years, not just the results, but the way we play, it is there.
“We won five Premier Leagues, chapeau for the organisation. But we want to try and do it again and again. Being there.
“I don’t want to drop and we don’t want to drop because I know you can be out of the Champions League next season and disappear.
“That makes me so happy as a manager to go to Switzerland on an artificial pitch and perform like we performed against Young Boys.
“Not many teams go there and perform like that. To travel there and perform like we did.
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“How we performed and manage that game was so good. People think: ‘Ah, its Manchester City against Young Boys’ and say it’s easy but it’s not easy. I assure you that. It’s not easy.
“What we have done is so difficult. To maintain it is even more difficult. What we have done is so nice but what we have to do now is the next step.
“But what we have done is clear.”
While City have gone from strength to strength in a remarkable period of sustained success, United’s on field fortunes have waned somewhat in the decade following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
At the height of United’s period of domestic dominance , Ferguson famously said that he didn’t look upon City as serious challengers.
Reflecting on the way City and United’s respective fortunes have since so dramatically reversed, Pep admitted it was a scenario many could not have envisaged 10 or 15 years ago.
“Sir Alex was right. City were not challenging but after that we had the presence from Sheikh Mansour, from Khaldoon and made that investment,” Pep added.
“United and Arsenal in that time were the richest ones. At that time Sir Alex Ferguson could not expect that. Not even myself when I was at Barcelona.
“But now we are a reality, and we want to stay as long as possible.
“It’s uncomfortable for them because we were not in the elite and now, we are in the elite.
“Maybe it’s uncomfortable for many things but we were there, and we are there.
“And we want to be there in the future.”
Manchester United v City app coverage
Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at 14:30 (UK).
We will have guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.
They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
Highlights will follow, as well as a full-match replay [available on CITY+] which can be accessed from midnight.
