We’re just getting into swing of it

PEP GUARDIOLA says his young Manchester City team are building a legacy with their displays this season.

City were crowned champions yesterday when their nearest rivals Manchester United unexpectedly lost 1-0 at home to basement club West Brom.

Just like Sir Alex Ferguson when United won the first of their 13 Premier League titles in May 1993, Guardiola was on the golf course.

He didn’t expect United to lose just as Fergie didn’t think Aston Villa would lose to Oldham 25 years ago.

But it didn’t kill the moment for the Spaniard who has now won Europe’s top three League titles – in Spain with Barcelona, in Germany with Bayern Munich and now in England with City.

Guardiola is convinced his team can only get better and was impressed with their mental toughness in the win at Tottenham on Saturday that followed three sapping defeats.

“It showed me how strong the players are,” he said. “That is important to build up the club. It is important to believe, because City is not like United or Chelsea or Arsenal – the big clubs in England who have a big history behind them.

“Sometimes you have to do these kinds of things to think, ‘Wow, we are good. We are good too, like the other ones’. That is the target. So people can believe we are good, Manchester City is a good club.

“We have to try to get better. If you read what the people say this week we have to improve. But you cannot deny that we were good this season.”

Guardiola admitted it has been tough for him and his side after being knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool. “This last week was so demanding. The Premier League is every day, every day, every day,” he said.

“OK, Sergio Aguero is a genius, a top player, 29 years old – but the other guys are 20 or 21 years old. We have been winning with guys so young.

“Playing in the Champions League at that age, sometimes it is complicated. But maybe it will be a lesson. The more years you are here, you learn more.”

He has given his players three days off