Guardiola reflects on ‘toughest’ title as he chases unprecedented Treble
PEP GUARDIOLA claims this title scrap was the toughest of his managerial career.
But after Manchester City pipped Liverpool on the final day, he set his sights on sealing the Treble.
Serial champion Guardiola said: “I’ve won in Spain and Germany but that is the toughest one with the rival we’ve had to face all season. We’re so, so tired — but winning is also so addictive.
“And on Saturday we have the FA Cup final and we’re ready to compete.
“No team in England has done the Treble before.
“We have the chance. We have to be focused against Watford.”
Spaniard Guardiola, 48, claimed his EIGHTH league title as a boss.
And he hailed his players for keeping their hunger having chalked up 100 points to clinch the title last campaign.
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This season they won their final 14 matches to pip Liverpool by a point.
Guardiola said: “At the beginning of the season after 100 points, coming back after a World Cup.
“We pushed them and pushed ourselves, the whole organisation pushed each other — it’s the only way to be in this position.
“Last season we raised standards in this competition. Before, 85, 87, 90 points might be champs, then we reached 100.
“Only Liverpool could handle it. I have to say thank you to them as they helped us to be better.
“They had an incredible season but we did a little bit better. We won 18 games in a row last season — we’ve won 14 in a row to win now.”
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Guardiola hopes his City team will be talked about in years to come after becoming the first team in a decade to retain the title.
He said: “If in 10, 15 or 20 years people talk about this team — it is because we are a really good side.
“I think it is like the books, like the movies, when they sustain the passage of time.”