Guardiola reveals pride at securing the toughest Premier League title yet | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has spoken of his pride at winning the 2020-21 Premier League title, which he says has been the toughest campaign of his five-year Manchester City tenure.

It’s City’s third league title win in four seasons and the tenth major trophy won under Guardiola’s management.

Our first Premier League success under his leadership in 2017-18 saw us cruise to the title with an English football record 100 points as we finished 19 clear of second-placed Manchester United.

That was followed by a remarkable 98 points the following campaign as we edged out a superb Liverpool side to become the first team in 10 years to win back-to-back Premier League trophies.

But with the difficulties City have faced this term due to the global COVID-19 health pandemic, which has caused a truncated season and a relentless fixture schedule, Guardiola says this has been his hardest Premier League campaign to date.

“This has been a season and a Premier League title like no other,” the City manager reflected. “This was the hardest one. We will always remember this season for the way that we won. I am so proud to be the manager here and of this group of players.

“They are so special. To come through this season – with all the restrictions and difficulties we’ve faced – and show the consistency we have is remarkable.

PREMIER LEAGUE WINNERS | SHOP OUR CHAMPIONS RANGE

“It is relentless. Every single day, they are there, fighting for success, trying always to be better. They have been so, so resilient.

“That is equally true of each and every member of our backroom staff, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our players are fully equipped to take on the unexpected challenges and new routines throughout such a turbulent year.

“Not forgetting, of course, all of the staff across our organisation who work to make this club the success it is. Whether that’s been from the offices at CFA or working from home, the efforts of every employee in such trying circumstances have contributed to this achievement.”

WATCH: Premier League Champions | Etihad Stadium fly-through

City’s season could yet get even better.

Last week’s 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in our UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg completed a 4-1 aggregate victory and saw us progress to our maiden final.

Should we go on to win Europe’s elite prize, it would see a beautiful new chapter in the Club’s history written.

But Guardiola says the Premier League title is always his team’s primary objective.

“At the start of every season, the Premier League is the most important title for us,” he said.

“This is the one where you have to be there every three days, playing all your rivals home and away.

“Only by being the very best, week in week out, can you win this competition. It is a huge success.”

The boss also sent a special message to the City fans, whose support from afar has helped his players get over the line.

Due to the restrictions caused by the Coronavirus outbreak, we have been without our fans all season, except for the 2,000 who cheered us on at Wembley as we won our fourth Carabao Cup in a row.

And in a year that saw us say goodbye to Club legend Colin Bell, Guardiola says this one is for Colin and his family.

“It is so important to say a huge thank to all our fans,” he added.

“In our toughest moments, we couldn’t hear the crowd get behind us as usual, but we know they are with us everywhere we go and that has lifted us.

“I promise them we sense their love, we appreciate it and we could not have done what we have done without it.

“I hope we can all celebrate together one day not too far away.

“It has been such a hard year for so many people. This one is really for our fans and for Colin Bell and all his family.”