Pep Guardiola has admitted he is 'incredibly comfortable' at Manchester City, in a recent extended interview with the club's website.
Since his arrival in 2016, the Blues have become the most dominant force in English football. In six full seasons, the Catalan has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four Carabao Cups.
He also guided his team to a club-first Champions League final appearance in 2021, where they narrowly lost to Chelsea in Portugal.
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About to embark on his seventh season in charge, the Catalan sat down to reflect on his time in East Manchester and pick out key moments in their success.
Above all, it is worth noting that Guardiola has stayed at City longer than any club in his managerial career - including his boyhood side, FC Barcelona.
When asked what is the secret behind his lengthy stay, the manager said: “I’ve been since the day one, incredibly comfortable, for all the departments in the club and for the hierarchy of course, but especially working with these players.”
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“What can I say for the people on the street, in the stadium, how they take care of me and my family.
"That’s why I’m in the seventh season here. I didn’t expect it when we arrived."
Keeping a settled, happy side has been a key component of City's unprecedented success under Guardiola, but the importance of a fun and enjoyable culture cannot be underestimated, according to the manager.
“It is because I’m comfortable and importantly because we won a lot, and when you win a lot, that helps to continue, because this club right now, I’m sorry for the future, the standards are there, and all of us, we have to fight to maintain it there," he continued.
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"The people, our fans, will live for the memories, they’ll live, it’s so nice, we enjoy together, but this season, our fans want more.
"They are hungry to see good football games and enjoy them.
"I’m pretty sure the fans want to win the Premier League, but they want it every weekend, we want to have the stadium, our fans, when we are away, they are exceptional every time we go away.
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"They want to see the team playing good, enjoying and represent our club as best as possible, and this is our target.”
After a successful pre-season tour of the US, City have returned to the CFA to begin preparations for the annual FA Community Shield curtain raiser.
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They face Liverpool at the King Power Stadium and it acts as the final chance for Guardiola to assess his squad ahead of their Premier League title defence.
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That starts against West Ham United next Sunday, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez expected to be on show.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Premier League
Harry Siddall