Happy Pep looks ahead

CITY BOSS: GUARDIOLA FEELS ‘LOVED’ BUT IN NO HURRY TO SIGN NEW DEAL

London

Pep Guardiola celebrated his first Premier League title, following Manchester City’s goalless draw with Huddersfield Town on Sunday, by immediately turning his attention to defending the trophy next season.

The demanding City manager brought seven of his coaching staff onto the podium for his postmatch press conference, a symbolic nod towards a close-knit group that has masterminded one of the most dominant league performances in history.

Despite surprisingly failing to defeat struggling visitors Huddersfield, City still have two games left in which they can set new Premier League records for the most wins, points and goals in a single campaign.

That target still inspires Guardiola, but so too does the prospect of trying to win the league title again next season.

“We cannot deny it would be nice to set records but it’s nicer when you win the Premier League,” said Guardiola.

Guardiola has only one season left on the three-year contract he signed in the summer of 2016.

He said he was in no hurry to sign an extended deal but after leading City to their third title since 2012, Guardiola insisted he is happy in Manchester.

“I feel so comfortable here, we feel we are loved,” he said.

City laid on pre-match festivities, including survivors from their 1968 championship-winning team, before Huddersfield provided dogged opposition and dampened the celebrations somewhat.

Upon the final whistle, and after unwanted pitch invaders had been removed, City were finally presented with the trophy.

Impressive Huddersfield might even have escaped with a victory in the closing minutes when substitute Scott Malone raced through only to shoot directly at Emerson in the City goal.

The point is a huge boost for Huddersfield, who operate on the Premier League’s lowest budget, and their attempts to avoid relegation. –