Pep Guardiola Urges Man City to Create History with Win Against Spurs

As City chases an unprecedented fourth consecutive title, Guardiola stresses focus amidst impressive form. Pep Guardiola has challenged his Manchester City players to win at Tottenham and put themselves on the brink of creating English football history.

Victory at Spurs will take City back to the top of the table, two points clear of Arsenal ahead of Sunday's final day, when Guardiola's men host West Ham. The City boss knows victory in the final two Premier League games will make it four straight titles for his side – an unprecedented achievement in English football.

It proved beyond the great Liverpool sides of the 1980s, Sir Alex Ferguson's dominant Manchester United teams, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal players and Chelsea under Jose Mourinho.

Against that backdrop, Guardiola said he and his players, who have already rewritten the record books in English football with their dominance of recent seasons, are determined to make it four in a row.

“In the beginning of the season no, we didn't think about the four Premier Leagues,” said Guardiola.

“But if we're still there in February, March or April and we can still do it, after it ignites something in all our heads that says 'guys, no team has done it'.

“That shows you how hard it is. Liverpool in the 1980s, Sir Alex Ferguson’s United in the 1990s, Chelsea with Jose Mourinho and Arsenal with Arsene Wenger didn’t do it.

“So if it’s not been done, it’s difficult. It’s as simple as that. History is in front of us and we have to accept that we have not done it so it's the time to do it. Otherwise, Arsenal will be champions.”

Guardiola also hit back at the suggestion that City's dominance of the Premier League was boring, pointing out their net spend over the past five years is significantly lower than rivals United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs.

“It’s not boring,” said Guardiola. “But before, do you know what it was? It was the money.

“So for that reason United should have won all the titles - all of them. Second? Chelsea - all the titles. Third? Arsenal - all the titles. They spend as much money in last five years as us. So they should be there, but they are not there.

“For that reason, Girona shouldn't be in the Champions League and Leicester shouldn't have won the Premier League years ago. So now it's boring? It's not boring. It’s so difficult to be here again and we want to win it.”

Guardiola admitted City will relinquish the title if they fail to win at City and reminded his players that only victory will do at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - where they have never won in the league.

“We can lose or draw against Tottenham and lose the title, absolutely,” said Guardiola. “Our mindset is to go there and win it but if we lose - okay, the journey, this season, was unbelievable.

“We're in the FA Cup final and fighting for the Premier League, so what else can I ask for? But people only remember the winners. It's nice to be there, but not enough – now we have the chance.”

May 14, 2024