‘our glory days will not last for ever’

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PEP GUARDIOLA has vowed to keep Manchester City at the top as long as he is in charge – but he knows their dominance will not last forever.

City have won five of the last six Premier League titles under Guardiola and are aiming to make it an unprecedented fourth in a row this season.

The Blues matched local rivals Manchester United’s Treble triumph of 1999 last season and have established themselves as the best team in England and Europe.

Fallen giants United have gone the other way, having failed to mount a title challenge since Sir Alex Ferguson retired on the back of his 13th Premier League triumph in 2013.

Despite their fall from grace, Guardiola knows football goes in cycles, which is why he is desperate to keep City ahead of the chasing pack and ensure United remain below them.

“In the 80s it was Liverpool, the 90s was United and now we’ve won seven Premier Leagues in the last 11 or 12 years,” said Guardiola. “In 50 or 60 years, there has never been, in one country, where one team always dominates and controls everything.

“We will try, in this organisation, to extend this as much as possible for many years, which is what we are trying to do.

“Especially the consistency that we can prove it again. What we have done over many years has made me so proud.

“But I’ve not done it alone. This kind of success for a long time doesn’t depend on the manager. If people believe it’s just me, they’re making a mistake.

“It’s the hierarchy and stability of decisions from the CEO, Sporting Directors, the players, all the people working with the club. I’m part of that but I’m not the only reason for the success we’ve had.”

Guardiola has called on his players to take the emotion out of tomorrow’s derby and play with cool heads to ensure they emerge victorious and stay on course for the title.

“What I learn from my experience in these types of games is to be more calm,” said Guardiola. “Relax, don’t talk about many things, just focus on the tactics and what you have to do to beat them.

“It’s not about emotions, because emotions will be there, without doubt. That is why we relax and prepare for the game as well as possible, knowing the quality they have.

“For United to go to Wolves and beat them and Luton, and to have the quality to beat Aston Villa a few weeks ago, they have incredible quality. “From one action, they can create something special in set-pieces, transitions and from open play.

“It’s always been that way with United.

“When they play well, they win games. We’re in March and they just lost one game this year, so the consistency is there, especially in this year.”