GUARD OF HONOR

Pep’s men confirmed their unrivalled brilliance as they roared to an historic Treble and - be afraid - the boss has vowed to improve on greatness in a bid to conquer Europe

THE best teams of their generation always write their name into the history books with special achievements.

Manchester United’s Treblewinners of 1999, Arsenal’s titlewinning Invincibles of 2004 and even Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea set records in 2005.

This Manchester City team wrote a new chapter last season in winning the Premier League with a record points tally, scoring the most goals and recording the most wins.

They have now become the first team to win a domestic Treble of the title, FA Cup and League Cup, a feat once described as “impossible” by former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

But nothing, it seems, is impossible for this team under Pep Guardiola. Their style, emphasis on attack and spectacular players have taken English football to a new level. Liverpool pushed City all the way in the title race, finishing within a point. But the truth is City were the only team to beat Jurgen Klopp’s men in the league and are streets ahead of the rest.

The real quality of City is their mental strength and motivation, because to win the title by such a margin, then come back even stronger and retain it, is the hallmark of true greatness.

That, surely, is what makes City the greatest champions of the Premier League era. To win the title while also lifting the League Cup and always putting out the strongest team in the FA Cup is a remarkable achievement and shows Guardiola’s respect for football in this country.

But amid the questions following City’s humiliation of Watford at Wembley, came the answer from Guardiola as to what next season’s motivation will be.

And it also revealed his underlying frustration from this season their exit from the Champions League. By his own admission, that is what he was brought in to win.

While there can be no doubt about who is the best in England, the burning desire at City is to put themselves on the world map by becoming European champions.

“I know we will be judged at the end on whether we win the Champions League,” said

Guardiola. “I know unless we do that it will not be enough. This comes with me. I know that.

“I arrive in Barcelona, we were lucky we won it two times in four years and the people expect I am something special that we have to win the Champions League and it’s still true.

“In this club, the points record and the domestic competitions is incredible, but the Champions League we don’t win quite often compared to the other ones because the teams are so good, the competition so demanding. But we want to win it.”

There is a sense this will be a summer of change at the Etihad. Vincent Kompany is leaving, there is uncertainty surrounding Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane, and a long-term successor to Fernandinho is needed.

They want to strengthen and improve. To stand still is to go backwards.

Raheem Sterling, scorer of two of the six goals against Watford at Wembley, summed up the philosophy when he said players must embrace competition. Guardiola views the last two seasons as just the start. They will get better, even more dominant.

The UEFA investigation into Financial Fair Play still hangs heavy. City are vehement in their denials and will also be of the view that success breeds jealousy.

But Guardiola insists the drive and determination will be even stronger next term. “I wouldn’t be here next season unless I believed we could improve as a group,” he added.

“I know it will be difficult because people will compare and people can’t expect us to repeat the Treble or four titles in one season, that’s something one team does once in their lifetime. My target for next season is to keep this spirit.

“Now it’s our turn to celebrate for three days with our fans and then afterwards take a break, especially the staff because the players, some of them, will still be playing (in internationals).

“That is the next target. Looking forward, keep my energy a little for Monday to do our parade and our last party of the season with our people, and go on our holidays.”