Pep Guardiola believes he is closer to the end of his time with Manchester City than he is to the start after winning his sixth Premier League title at the Etihad. He also said that Arsenal will be a serious threat next season. Erling Haaland added that Manchester City knew they had all but won the Premier League after beating Tottenham in midweek. Guardiola joined the Citizens in 2016.
Pep Guardiola admitted he is closer to the end of his time with Manchester City than he is to the start after lifting his sixth Premier League title.
Guardiola joined the Citizens in 2016 after spells with Bayern Munich and Barcelona and has also won the Champions League, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Rodri says Arsenal ‘just wanting a draw’ at Etihad showed ‘difference’ in title raceRodri says Arsenal ‘just wanting a draw’ at Etihad showed ‘difference’ in title race.
Guardiola’s side needed to at least match Arsenal’s result against Everton to guarantee a fourth consecutive title having beaten Tottenham 2-0 on Tuesday.
They got off to a superb start, with England international Phil Foden scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes before Mohammed Kudus cut the gap with a sensational overhead kick.
Rodri eased City nerves with a goal in the 59th minute but after the match, Guardiola said cast some doubt on his long-term future at the club.
“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying,” he said.
“Eight years, maybe nine, right now my feeling is that I want to stay next season.
“We’ll talk to the club, we have time to talk next season because I have to see the players as well, if they follow me they follow us.
“I will stay and during the season we will talk, but eight or nine years – we will see.”
‘WE KIND OF KNEW WE WERE GOING TO DO IT’ – HAALAND
Erling Haaland said Manchester City’s title credentials were never in doubt after they won the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over West Ham.
“After we beat Spurs we kind of knew we were going to do it,” Haaland said. “I was confident.
“It’s like that every year [City performing to their best after Christmas].
“It’s like we add on a little bit extra because that’s when it really matters. I’m happy and I can’t complain.
“It’s been harder than I expected [playing in the Premier League].
“Every game, the way every game is not like a final but it’s not far away.
“You come away somewhere or even at home you can’t relax. Every game is so intense and tough.”
City can secure a league and cup double with victory over local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Haaland ended the season as the league’s top scorer with 27 goals but said he wanted to leave the talking to the pundits.
He said: “It’s not bad [winning his second successive Golden Boot].
“There’s not much to say, it’s better to just play football and don’t speak too much.
“Let other people do the speaking and that’s better.”
Haaland had words of praise for City manager Guardiola.
“It’s a bit demanding at times [playing for Guardiola],” the Norwegian said. “It’s tough, but look what he’s done. He demands a lot every single day.
“If you don’t live up to what he expects you have a big problem.
“He’s demanding and he’s a lovely guy and I love him to pieces.”
Arsenal beat Everton 2-1 at the Emirates, but it was not to be as they missed out on the title by two points.
Idrissa Gueye gave The Toffees an unexpected lead in the 40th minute, but Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz won it for The Gunners.
City manager Guardiola heaped praise on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his team after winning his sixth Premier League title.
Guardiola said: “Liverpool pushed us to our limits and then the last two seasons, this one especially, have been incredible seasons.
“We get the message, I know they will be there for many years because they have a young manager, big talent, a young squad and a young team.
“They sent us a message that we will have to be careful over the next few years.
“Today is a day to celebrate, when I got here if people told me we would win six Premier Leagues I would have said they were insane, it is not going to happen, but it has happened.”