KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —– Pep Guardiola, throughout his six years 10 months as manager of Manchester City, had always insisted that the Champions League was only one more trophy. No different to the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup or the UEFA Super Cup.

That was his way of trying to evade the inevitable pressure of expectation of European glory ever since his old Barcelona bosses, Ferran Soriano and Aitor Begiristain, had arrived at City as ceo and technical director in 2012 and waited patiently for four years for the missing piece in their all-conquering jigsaw.

Now Guardiola is talking differently. He was released from the bonds of caution after Arsenal’s faint title hopes ended in the 1:0 defeat on Saturday which kept Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Guardiola, celebrating a fifth Premier League title in six seasons, looked forward to not only the FA Cup Final against United on June 3 but to the Champions League showdown in Istanbul with Internazionale a week later. Unless they win that one, he said, his City will not compare with club greats including the Barcelona he led to two European titles, in 2009 and 2011.

He said: “Our team is really good but I’m in agreement with the media and people saying we have to win in Europe to be considered as the same type as the great  teams who have won not only once but many times in Europe.

“The joy of reaching the Champions League final is so nice, it’s amazing being here again and again. Nothing is going to change that but if we are to be considered one of the best teams, we have to win the Champions League. My opinion of how good City are is not going to change. But to be in the books, the real books, you have to do that.”

History men

City would match Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 1999 by winning the treble. Only Ferguson, George Ramsay (Aston Villa in 1890s) and Liverpool’s Bob Paisley have won more than Guardiola’s five top-flight titles in England and his latest has lifted him level with Sir Matt Busby and Tom Watson (Sunderland in the 1890s then Liverpool).

Guardiola, consciously or unconsciously, matched the stylistic example of Ferguson in driving City to the title. Ferguson famously drew on adversity, criticism from rivals, to instil the “siege mentality” which fired his teams to even higher standards. The same for City.

The extraordinary run of form which swept them to the title started after the club were charged on February 15 by the Premier League with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules. City are challenging all the accusations in a process which could take years to resolve.

Guardiola said: “You can be angry one day when accused of something like we were. We had four Premier Leagues and felt we must fight for another.” Since that point City have been unbeaten in all competitions, winning 19 matches and drawing four after the ?? dismissal of Chelsea. The run started with a 3:1 win at Arsenal and the ongoing intensity wrecked the Gunners’ dreams.

Haaland effect

Many technical reasons have contributed. Most notable has been the arrival of Erling Haaland. In 2021 and 2022 City won the league title using a false No9. They struggled to develop a more direct style. Kevin de Bruyne found it awkward at first but Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish have thrived and City hope their German captain can be persuaded to stay beyond Istanbul.

City’s financial power has provided the foundation for success but big money is no guarantee. Sensible choice of transfer targets is crucial. Not only Grealish (£100m) and Haaland (£51m) but the likes of World Cup-winner Julian Alvarez (£14m) and Swiss defender Manuel Akanji (£15m).

Then Guardiola works his own demanding magic on the training ground to mould them technically and tactically. One example is his development of John Stones as an inverted fullback who can ‘tuck in’ to midfield during a game.

Guardiola’s teams are always evolving. Also his squads. City are like the great old Real Madrid who used to add a new superstar every year. So, after Grealish in 2021 and Haaland in 2022 another big name will be arriving this summer. Josko Gvardiol and Joshua Kimmich are among stars being analysed.

This will not be City’s best league season under Guardiola for points won, goals scored or goals conceded but it could be the most historic.

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