Speaking at a launch event for the new City Studios documentary ‘Together: Champions Again!’, the England international told the audience that the selfless attitude within the dressing room has contributed to the trophy haul in recent seasons.
City lifted the 2021/22 Premier League title thanks to a dramatic comeback against Aston Villa on the final day of the season, a journey which the new documentary charts from the start of pre-season right through to the trophy parade on the streets of Manchester.
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And Foden says it’s Pep that keeps the players singing from the same hymn sheet throughout all the twists and turns of a long campaign.
Sitting on stage at the Everyman Cinema in Manchester, Foden said: “He’s really good at it, bringing everyone together.
“We have a big squad and everyone has to be ready to play.
“You see that all year round, everyone has to be ready to step up. Everyone sticking together in moments like those is so important and that’s why we win a lot of trophies.”
With Aston Villa 2-0 up at the Etihad Stadium back in May and only 20 minutes left on the clock, City seemed destined to fall at the final hurdle in the race for a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.
However, two Ilkay Gundogan goals either side of a Rodrigo strike turned it around and won the Blues an 11th major trophy during Pep’s reign.
While the third goal was scored in the 81st minute, much earlier in the match than Sergio Aguero’s iconic 93:20 goal in 2012, the similarities between the occasions were not lost on those involved.
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“I believe it’s better to win like that, the Aguero moment where I was in the stands is the same too,” he stated.
“Playing and living through a game like that is special to me and I think it felt better to win that game the way we did it.
“I’ve not watched the game back yet. Maybe in the future I’ll watch these games back and realise how well we’ve done, winning the trophies we have and been there as a team.”
As well as key on-field moments, the documentary also shines a light on the players’ personal lives.
Foden’s son Ronnie is a regular guest in the City changing room and, as the first episode shows, has struck up a friendship with several players – in particular Kyle Walker.
He said: “I think it has helped me grow up a lot quicker. Every opportunity I have I bring Ronnie in. Hopefully when he gets older he can be a footballer as well.
“Kyle is close to me and they [Ronnie and Kyle] have a great bond. Kyle and Jack come round to my house – he loves the lads a lot.”
The first episode of ‘Together: Champions Again!’ is available on CITY+ and Recast from 6pm today, with the remaining episodes to follow on both platforms in the coming weeks.
