We Are Already Champions – Man City Manager Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has issued a sarcastic title warning to his Manchester City stars, declaring “we are already champions”.

City opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table by beating defending champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, and they still have a game in hand to take in on all five teams currently sitting directly below them.

Guardiola is being tipped to deliver the domestic crown to Etihad Stadium for the third time come May, but the Spaniard isn’t getting carried away by his team’s current position.

With his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, Guardiola told a press conference: “Two or three months ago we were out of everything: we didn’t have any chance to be champions, to qualify for the Champions League yet now we are ready.

“We are ready, so maybe we shouldn’t play any more games in the Premier League because we are already champions.

“I don’t understand why we have to play against Tottenham and after against Everton? I don’t understand it because we are already champions.”

The City boss then switched to a more serious tone, adding: “I understand why people are talking about it but nothing is eternal, nothing is perfect. Just because we won in the past it doesn’t mean we are going to win in the future.

“We have to focus on the next game. Always in my career with my teams we have thought in this way and talked in this way and this is not an exception.”