PEP’S ADDICTED TO WINNING
Guardiola warns his rivals that he can’t get enough of lifting trophies and intends to get his fix for years to come
PEP GUARDIOLA has warned his managerial rivals he is addicted to winning and cannot get enough of lifting silverware.
After leading Manchester City to a third Premier League triumph in four years, Guardiola, who now has 10 trophies in five years in England, vowed to deliver more.
And the perfectionist believes there is still room for improvement from his serialwinning City squad, despite their formidable success in recent seasons.
“It’s so addictive, so nice,” said Guardiola, who still has the Champions League against Chelsea to come.
“It’s addictive and after that, why should you stop? Why should we not try to improve and do it again?
“From the outside you get results, but I still see things I don’t like.
“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’re going to carry on.”
Guardiola also opened up on the heart-to-heart with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak while both of their families were on holiday in the Maldives in the November international break, which led to him signing a contract extenfinal sion. “I saw that he trusted me,” said the Spaniard. “I can’t assure him of success, but I saw his eyes and I trusted him.
“When that happens, you have to do it. When it happens I can’t say no. All the managers in the world, you can be sacked if you don’t win games.
“We had long discussions and he convinced me we still have work to do.
“I trust him a lot and I said, ‘We’re going to try to do it again in the next few years’.
“Part of the reason for my happiness here is his determination to convince me to say, ‘We still have to do it’.
“We can’t forget we came from the disappointment of Lyon, losing in the quarterfinals of the Champions League the previous season, and no holidays.
“I had the feeling in other clubs sometimes, Bayern Munich and Barcelona were always supportive, that feeling the managers are always supported when they have success.
“I can’t forget my first season here, when we didn’t win anything, the behaviour of my chairman.
“And the big disappointment against Lyon, the support I had from my chairman.
“That’s why he is part of our success and it’s dedicated to him, for supporting me, like I support my backroom staff and the players.
“Now we have two weeks ahead of us to prepare for the dream come true of playing the final of the Champions League and the show really must go on next season.
“We are going to try to be strong next season.”
City tonight are at Newcastle for their first game since being crowned champions, and the hosts will give Guardiola’s side a guard of honour before kick-off.