I’M AN ADDICT
Pizza party gives Pep appetite for more City domination next season
NEWCASTLE V MAN CITY 8PM SKY SPORTS
PEP GUARDIOLA has warned Manchester City’s rivals his side are “addicted to winning” and will come back hungrier than ever next season.
The City manager secured a third Premier League title and eighth trophy in his four years at the club this week.
And after celebrating with pizza and champagne, Guardiola sent out a message to those who will take aim at their crown, warning that winning for him and his players is becoming a habit.
“It’s so addictive, so nice,” he said when asked how he will continue to motivate.
“When you have the feeling it’s enough and the pleasure is not there, it’s the time to say goodbye, but if the players still want to continue then we are going to carry on.”
Guardiola’s side visit Newcastle tonight, then Brighton before finishing their season in front of fans at the Etihad against Everton, where they will be presented with the Premier League trophy.
But the prospect of a ninth piece of silverware for Guardiola in the Champions League final could be the cherry on the cake.
“I have said many times that the Premier League is the most important and, financially, the most important is qualifying for the Champions League,” Guardiola said.
“But the nicest is the Champions League. We have two weeks ahead where it’s a dream come true then we try to be strong next season.”
Winning the Premier League represents quite a turnaround after a poor start saw them sitting ninth in late November.
That month Guardiola had been persuaded to extend his current deal after heart to hearts with director of football Txiki Begiristain and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
The City boss said: “I went to see Khaldoon and we had long talks. I trust him and he said we’ll try again the next years.”
Mubarak and owner Sheikh Mansour joined a conference call with Guardiola and senior management yesterday. The manager described it as a “lovely chat”.
But it was the impromtu party at their training base after Leicester beat Manchester United on Tuesday that brought the biggest smile.
“We drank a bit, dance, hug, at 11.30-12 pizzas arrived,” said Guardiola. “I was not in my perfect condition to decide the best pizza. In England the parties are just alcohol, not food. I don’t understand why, so when the pizza arrived was the best moment.”
MAN CITY (probable): Ederson; Cancelo, Ake, Laporte, Mendy; Gundogan, Fernandinho, Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Torres.