29 April 2023 , 21:30
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Pep Guardiola has responded to Oasis star Noel Gallagher crowning him football’s greatest-ever manager by insisting his Manchester City legacy won’t Live Forever.
City-mad Gallagher claimed in the aftermath of the Blues’ 4-1 evisceration of Arsenal that Guardiola has had no equal in the game - not even Sir Alex Ferguson.
But as the Catalan steps up his bid to emulate the same Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble that made Ferguson’s legend, he declared he has no interest in making history.
And Guardiola also suggested that he will still have unfinished business in Manchester even if his team completes a clean sweep.
“I have always said that the important thing is to live day by day and make people happy,” said Guardiola ahead of the clash with Fulham.
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“But my legacy? I honestly don’t know. I can’t say it because a friend of mine (Gallagher) said it.
“Maybe it will be in 10 or 25 years if the people in the UK, or especially here in Manchester, remember this period of seven, eight, nine years with a smile.
Noel Gallagher says Guardiola is the greatest ever manager in football (Getty Images)“The biggest compliment for me, better than any trophy, are the things you can give to the fans.
“I live in the moment - and the moment now is Fulham. The rest, it doesn’t matter.
“In life, when it’s gone, it’s gone. When you pass away, you pass away.
“They remember you, your close family, for a few days - and then it’s done.
“This is true, don’t laugh! It is sad but it is true.
“When the manager is replaced, yes, good memories. But I don’t live for my history.
“I like being here because I still have a chance to continue to do something to make our people happy.
Guardiola is closing in on a fifth league title in six seasons (PA)“Not for history. You are here and when you pass, then comes another one. You move on and that’s all.”
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City will go top of the table with a win at Craven Cottage and are favourites to win all three competitions despite facing United in the FA Cup Final and Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
This would be their fifth title in seven seasons under Guardiola and third in succession.
And in 16 years as a manager with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, he has already amassed 33 trophies.
Guardiola said: “Never in my life as a manager did I expect what I have lived.
“If tomorrow I have to finish my career, I cannot ask for anything else, anything.
“It’s why people don’t like Pep sometimes - because I was so fortunate. I’m so sorry…
“But being here, why should I stop?
“I know that if we don't win the treble or the double or the Premier League, we will be (seen) as a failure.
“It doesn't matter, but if we do everything as we have the last three or four months, we will be closer and closer to doing something exceptional.”
Erling Haaland has scored 49 goals this season (Getty Images)City’s team has continued to evolve thanks to the arrival of players like 49-goal Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez - and so has Guardiola as a coach.
Central defender John Stones and young full-back Rico Lewis are often employed in central midfield.
Against Arsenal, Manuel Akanji was used as a left-back despite never playing there for City.
And with Jack Grealish and Rodri in the form of their lives, Kevin De Bruyne back to his best and Ruben Dias in imperious form at the back, the Blues have become even more formidable during a 17-game unbeaten run.
Guardiola added: “For me it’s important to have new players, definitely.
“New players means I have to seduce them, so it’s a challenge for me as well.
“They come to play with us and I cannot delude them, it’s part of what we do.”