Pep Guardiola says he had lost pride in his "unrecognisable" Manchester City team earlier this season before a return to his coaching principles helped kickstart their 21-match winning run.
Following a mid-December round of Premier League fixtures that saw City draw 1-1 at home with strugglers West Brom, Guardiola's side had taken just 20 points from their opening 12 fixtures, were ninth in the table and eight points adrift of then-leaders Liverpool.
However, it wasn't the results that were irking the Spaniard, but a failure to deliver the entertaining football his teams at the Etihad - and previously at Barcelona and Bayern Munich - had become known for.
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Guardiola says a discussion with his coaching staff prompted a return to their basic footballing principles, and they haven't looked back, winning 21 successive games since to move 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League while also remaining in all three cup competitions.
"It was not just that specific West Brom game. It was the last games before West Brom," Guardiola told Sky Sports News ahead of his side's Super Sunday clash with Manchester United.
"Always I am a spectator - I am a manager but a spectator. I want to enjoy, I want to see my team playing the way the team must play, and I didn't watch it for a long, long time.
"I lost in Barcelona, I lost in Munich, but always I recognise my team, and in that period, I could not recognise it, I didn't like it.
"Sometimes we have one or two days to reflect, I talked with my backroom staff, we discussed many things and talked about the process of what to do.
"I said 'guys, we did it here in England, we did it in Germany and Spain as well, so we just come back to our principles, do what we have to do and try to do it again'.
"There's no guarantee to win games but at least we'll be proud, we'll recognise what we want to be, the way we want to live, and after, it's one game, another win, the confidence rises, the trust rises and that helps us to be in the position we are."
Foden will become 'incredible legend' at City
One of several players to excel during City's record-breaking run has been England youngster Phil Foden.
The 20-year-old has scored 11 goals in 33 appearances in his most prolific season to date, playing himself into contention for a place in England's squad at this summer's European Championships.
Despite being pleased with Foden's progress, Guardiola reiterated the importance of the City academy product maintaining his focus.
"(I am) more (delighted) than you can imagine," Guardiola said of Foden's form. "I'm delighted for him. He deserves all the credit. He was the reason why. So good, so far.
"But still, I talk many times to them, so keep working, don't listen much, don't read much, don't listen to pundits, the nice words they tell you. This is a tough, tough job. Your focus is maintained for 15 years, every three days - this is the most difficult thing, that's why you have to stay calm.
"But he loves to play football, he lives for that and that's why he's so nice to coach. And I'm pretty sure he will become an incredible legend of this club. We're going to take care of him and the rest he will do it."
Neville: Pep's second coming at Man City
Manchester City's assault on the Premier League title marks the dawn of a second coming of Guardiola's reign at the club, says Gary Neville.
Guardiola guided City to two Premier League titles in his first three seasons in record-breaking fashion but finished 18 points behind champions Liverpool last term in a season of transition at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast, the Sky Sports pundit pinpointed the moment Guardiola's transformation project took hold of City, and left the Premier League with no response.
The quality of the football that Pep Guardiola played in those first two title-winning seasons was outstanding," Neville said. "It was on top of the world and there was a big dip last season. That all changed in that win at Chelsea in January.
"What we saw in that 30 minutes of outstanding play in the first half at Stamford Bridge a few months ago we are seeing now consistently."
Thebe4utifulgam3
0
waiting for 22 winning streak... [huo
a true match is here π₯
who's gonna tell him
Thebe4utifulgam3
0
It's so hard to beat Man city.
yes, otherwise they don't know what to do with the ball
Thebe4utifulgam3
0
Just hoping for a interesting game , look at yesterday's game in Bundesliga, it was so thrilling . Its very disappointing when only 1 team is attacking and other is sitting back in such a big game , this season most of the big games have been snooze fest . People mark your calenders for these big games when fixture list is announced but when it ends in a goal less draw it becomes disappointing . I slept in some of the big games in PL π΄ Hope in this derby teams just go for it.
true
ciaademrsu
0
Maria akwla ammamM Bznzms
TheOneAndOnlyJ
0
I agree when you pinpoint that Jurgen Klopp is a great Manager, to be fair he is better than Guardiola. Guardiola is just being overpraised and the media to follow suite too not forgetting the football pundits they overpraise him for nothing knowing the betterment of everything why not praising Leeds United's manager... Pep Guardiola is weak, he manages on money thing... πππ€π€π€π€π€
Results speaks for themselves .. Klopp has to look up to Pep. Pep is far more successful
ShubhankurSharma
0
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
Said the guy who has klopp as the gaffer.
dascdklpz
0
cyt forever
Kezaclnt
2
Pep should win Champions League with City
Locacimrtz
0
But why you love so much much worldly things....Be watchful of double standards... πππ
thanks for your nice comment lovely Brother
Locacimrtz
0
how do you know that,am not praising God?. while I knew God is one who created everything in the world. Am Seventh keeper please
[image]
Am Seventh day adventist church keeper
siudelpz
0
Man city for life. Charism Steven
[image]
But why you love so much much worldly things....Be watchful of double standards... πππ
Locacimrtz
0
Look at this African, why can't he be ashamed of himself, to love football so much than praising God... Shame... ππ
how do you know that,am not praising God?. while I knew God is one who created everything in the world. Am Seventh keeper please
lawalidris
0
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
I can see frustration in your reaction to Pep, but your talkertive Klopp suddenly frozen and can't even give excuss any longer because he has lost focus and unlike Guardiola he has no idea or solution to his team problems.
siudelpz
0
Man city for life. Charism Steven
[image]
Look at this African, why can't he be ashamed of himself, to love football so much than praising God... Shame... ππ
Fuwadkortz
2
Nice
Cityzen4life
1
I agree when you pinpoint that Jurgen Klopp is a great Manager, to be fair he is better than Guardiola. Guardiola is just being overpraised and the media to follow suite too not forgetting the football pundits they overpraise him for nothing knowing the betterment of everything why not praising Leeds United's manager... Pep Guardiola is weak, he manages on money thing... πππ€π€π€π€π€
You don't know ABC of football if you say klopp is better. 30 vs 9
Locacimrtz
2
Man city for life. Charism Steven
Locacimrtz
0
am very proud on you guys, struggling and be humble for waiting warmly game. I wish you to score according to what we want. by Charism Steven from Uganda Kampala.
Iamshadow
1
I agree when you pinpoint that Jurgen Klopp is a great Manager, to be fair he is better than Guardiola. Guardiola is just being overpraised and the media to follow suite too not forgetting the football pundits they overpraise him for nothing knowing the betterment of everything why not praising Leeds United's manager... Pep Guardiola is weak, he manages on money thing... πππ€π€π€π€π€
Classic dumb Liverpool fans back at it again ππ
Cityzen4life
0
It's so hard to beat Man city.
only if they give 100% on the field.
Cityzen4life
1
Just hoping for a interesting game , look at yesterday's game in Bundesliga, it was so thrilling . Its very disappointing when only 1 team is attacking and other is sitting back in such a big game , this season most of the big games have been snooze fest . People mark your calenders for these big games when fixture list is announced but when it ends in a goal less draw it becomes disappointing . I slept in some of the big games in PL π΄ Hope in this derby teams just go for it.
siudelpz
1
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
I agree when you pinpoint that Jurgen Klopp is a great Manager, to be fair he is better than Guardiola. Guardiola is just being overpraised and the media to follow suite too not forgetting the football pundits they overpraise him for nothing knowing the betterment of everything why not praising Leeds United's manager... Pep Guardiola is weak, he manages on money thing... πππ€π€π€π€π€
Davis2019
0
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
at the beginning of the season everyone was laughing at city when will lose 5:2 to lechester have you forgotten how bad we started the season, we have to be proud of our performance we did a very good job cut off Man United from the top and give them space
Davis2019
1
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
please cry me a River, what about your klopp giving all kinds of excuses just shut up if you don't know what to say, it's not our fault that your team fall apart
Cityzen4life
1
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
nothing cheap than excuses from klopp even though he is a great manager he just makes it embarrassing for himself
D-Maestreo
0
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
you talk too much
lord_henry-14
1
It's so hard to beat Man city.
siudelpz
1
Pep Guardiola this season talks too much with his babyish talks, e.g we have money to buy good players, etc rubbish things. If it could be someone talking like that he could be heavily criticized....He should cherish the opportunity of being position one on the log table....He should stop vomiting randomly....Cheap talking... π€π€π€π€
emabkr42
3
waiting for 22 winning streak... [huo
a true match is here π₯
Cityzen4life
1
gary " if you had said to me at the start of the season" neville