Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are set up for more success after a dominant decade "fighting with huge elephants" in the Premier League.
Despite trailing Liverpool by 14 points heading into the second half of this campaign, the City manager is confident that this team is capable of winning more titles and put the points gap down to "issues that we cannot control" - chiefly injuries to key players (which he did say on Tuesday) and decisions that have gone against the team (which he didn't).
Guardiola added that his team will pray for a repeat of last season where they overhauled a deficit to pip Liverpool but they are already planning for next season and beyond as they look to remain the biggest animals in the football jungle.
"We cannot control what a fantastic team like Liverpool have done so far and there are other issues you cannot control but when everyone is fit we can do it," said the manager.
“We are talking and we know exactly more or less what we have to do next season.
“I think this in the last decade was the best team in terms of points, in terms of goals, in terms of everything, titles even. So congratulate Manchester City for that.
"When we analyse every single day here, what happened day-by-day gives us perspective in what happened in the last 10 seasons, especially when people from Abu Dhabi took over the club and bought good players, interesting managers and bigger stuff.
"We did it incredibly well. People say 'how was 2019?' Now people are saying it is a disaster. We won four titles in 2019, so it was an incredible year for us, we enjoyed it a lot. In some games in this last part of the year we have struggled a bit but it was an incredible year for us. Congratulations for all the people working here. They were fighting with huge elephants here in England, big big clubs with the biggest history. For the past decade we were part of them. That is amazing.
"The big clubs here in England are always looking forward, we are going to try and analyse not just in terms of the squad but as a club how we can do better. Hopefully in the next decade this club can be here for more time."
EmmanuelChinga
561
The team for sure is the best. Only tactics sometimes poor but quality of players I do agree is best.
Reds4Ever
526
Guardiola is like thanos, he has all the English trophies on his gauntlet but he is missing one stone, the UCL
Nocdekmprt
238
I agree that in terms of playing good football Manchester City have been consistent since Pep took over but for how long has he been in charge to give it to City for the whole decade period? Yes, since Pep took over at the Etihad City have been praying good football consistently, the best in Europe I'd say. For the whole decade, I won't say so.
frankieij
152
without doubt or arguments, Chelsea are the best team for the last decade. I understand they also have ups and downs but in terms of points, possession, big games won, titles, European trophy and youth system. pls give it up to Chelsea FC