Across the Catalan’s spectacular Etihad tenure, City have constantly rewritten English record books during his near eight-years in charge at the Club.
From the Centurions campaign of 2017/18, through the Fourmidables feat of 2018/19 to last season’s unforgettable Treble campaign, City have consistently found a way to raise the bar in terms of achievements.
But asked at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s key trip to Tottenham whether the prospect of creating more history by guiding City to the unprecedented feat of winning four straight men’s Premier League titles had provided extra motivation, the boss said he never thought about the prospect at the outset of the campaign.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
“We have something unique in front of our eyes [but] in the beginning of the season, no, we didn’t think at all about winning four Premier Leagues,” the City boss revealed.
“But always there has to be something.
“When we were in February, March, April, it was ‘Oh, we are still there - we can do it’ and that ignited something in all our heads to say ‘Guys, no team has done it.’
WATCH: Guardiola: We have to do it again and again!
“That shows how difficult it is. Liverpool in the 1980s, United with Sir Alex Ferguson in the 90s, Chelsea with [Roman] Abramovich and Jose [Mourinho] - even Arsenal with [Arsene] Wenger - they haven’t done it.
“They haven’t done it as it’s so difficult… it’s as simple as that.
“There can be a tendency for complacency, the opponents are better, injuries… there are so many circumstances which happen [and] that’s why you can’t do it.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY APP
“This year we survived five months without Kevin [De Bruyne], two months without Erling [Haaland], many problems and we have new players and every single game the people who were there recognise the team.
“Some players stepped up with minutes and have played really good.
“Our game helped us be where we are right now. I would say it’s not easiest opponent to play tomorrow. But it is what it is, and we go for it.”
WATCH: Extended highlights: Fulham 0-4 City
Regardless of what happens in the next two league games, with City knowing six points would guarantee the title, Guardiola said he believed his side had already won something priceless – the respect of our rivals.
“I think we won for many years the respect from our opponents that’s for sure,” Pep added.
“They know the teams like Liverpool and Arsenal are there, how difficult it is and every year we are there. I wouldn’t like to give my words as it sounds like how good we are.
“I would have loved to prepare the game [more] as it is the most important game of the season, but we cannot prepare because we are still recovering from the game against Fulham.
“But we are used to playing these kinds of situations and we are ready – we are ready to do it.”
Spurs v City app coverage
The Official Man City App allows you to follow all of the action from north London all in one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates of the game will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, shortly followed by our Matchday Live show which will begin around 19:00 (UK) – as the team news comes in.
The show will welcome special guests Izzy Christiansen and Nedum Onuoha into the studio alongside host Natalie Pike.
They will provide City-centric insight before, during and after our final away game of the 2023/24 season, as well as answering viewer questions throughout the broadcast. With audience participation actively encouraged, get in touch via WhatsApp: +447537186538.
During the game you can listen to blow-by-blow live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Michael Brown our text commentary continues.
For those who have push notifications turned on, you can be alerted to the key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and team news.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Extended highlights from the match, as well as a full-match replay [available with a CITY+ subscription] will be accessible from midnight.
