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What is the story?
Pep Guardiola admitted that the close title race with Liverpool brought out the grit and fighting spirit in his Manchester City squad making them deliver a string of performances which led to a 1 point victory over the European Champions in the Premier League this season.
In case you didn’t know…
Manchester City had a stellar season domestically winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and the Carabao Cup which reaffirms Pep Guardiola's status as a world-class manager who consistently knows how to win trophies with clubs. The Premier League race went right down to the last day with City eventually winning the title by a single point as they finished at 98 points while Liverpool finished their campaign at 97. City won 14 games on the trot to come from behind and win the title at the end.
The heart of the matter
Pep revealed the reason of motivation in the title race.
"The fact we played these 14 games knowing if we draw a game or if we lose a game it will be difficult to retain the title," Guardiola spoke in an interview for This is Premier League, the review of the 2018/19 season.
"The value of your title depends on the quality of your contender, your big rival, and I cannot find a better one than Liverpool."
Guardiola has won five trophies in three seasons at the Etihad but insists the best is yet to come from his side.
"There's no better place in the world to do your job as a manager than here in England," he told City TV.
"I can compare it to Spain and Germany. I have not been in other countries but if I go to Italy it would be quite similar like in Spain. There's no better place [than here].
"In other places, fans boo you if you don't win. Here they always support you. I am a blue shirt, I am one of yours.
"That's why I'm happy to reward the confidence they have with me for the next two seasons. It's been a pleasure, and the best is coming."
What’s Next?
Pep Guardiola is looking forward to making his squad stronger for the next season as his primary objective. Benfica starlet Joao Felix is one of the main targets along with Rodri from Atletico Madrid and Harry Maguire from Leicester City. Leroy Sane has been offered a new contract but the German international can be sold to Pep's former club Bayern Munich should he reject the contract extension and the clubs reach an agreement following that.
