Pep Guardiola steals the show again – and swears a lot - to underline why Man City could make it five in a row, writes JACK GAUGHAN as new film documenting last year's title win is released
- Pep Guardiola agreed to sign a new contract with Manchester City on Tuesday
- It came in the same week that a behind-the-scenes documentary was released
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All just one big happy coincidence that Manchester City's latest documentary, charting their run to a fourth consecutive Premier League title and framed in a way that speaks to Pep Guardiola's genius, drops in the same week as their manager agrees a new contract.
Chief executive Ferran Soriano was sitting in Screen 12 of Manchester's Printworks cinema engaging in a Q&A session before the premiere of Together: 4-In-A-Row as news broke that Guardiola had already given the thumbs-up to extending his stay into a landmark 10th year.
It's a jackpot City never dreamed of winning. No wonder Soriano appeared assertive.
The 90-minute film produced in-house, coupled with the Catalan's signature until at least 2026, served as a reminder of what City have at their disposal.
Despite four straight defeats in all competitions - something new for Guardiola, finally a record he'd rather not have - this reminder of his man-management skills ought to focus some minds in the dressing room. He swears a lot, Guardiola. Just like every manager.
He swears at Phil Foden for gifting Crystal Palace a draw last December - 'in the f****** 18-yard box you don't touch the opponent... it's unacceptable, Phil' - and he swears to emphasise how good he believes this team is.
Pep Guardiola agreed to sign a new contract with Manchester City on Tuesday evening
News of Guardiola's deal came in the same week that City's latest documentary, charting their run to a fourth consecutive Premier League title - and which highlighted his genius - dropped
Guardiola's man-management skills and fiery nature were on display throughout the film
'The legacy is the way you f****** play,' he barks after the barnstorming last-minute 3-2 victory at Newcastle United in January. He paces around those rooms, stalking to build tension. The eyes of players and staff follow him in a silent trance.
Watching him is mesmeric and how Guardiola continues to find new ways of relaying the same messages is a significant part of City's domestic dominance. A domestic dominance that is under threat from Arne Slot's resurgent Liverpool at the moment.
Guardiola tells players that 'the storm always passes' in one team talk. City's hope will be that the clouds have parted over the international break, with more members of the squad available after injury and an upturn in overall performance.
Guardiola has form when it comes to getting a reaction. That dressing-down of Foden, days before the Club World Cup, sparked him into life - the midfielder ending the campaign as PFA Players' Player of the Year - and also sent a warning to everybody else.
'You are not boys, you are not teenagers,' Guardiola says. 'Did I say something when we drop points against Tottenham and Liverpool? Did I say something? Tell me. I blame you? I say something? F****** hell, f****** hell.'
Well, he did after Spurs. Crazed after conceding another late equaliser, Guardiola stormed into a room of squabbling players. They shut up. He began.
'That is the level, my friends,' he says while hammering his chest. 'That is why no one did four Premier Leagues in a row. That is the reason why. Take responsibility, my friends.'
Guardiola has since admitted that he lost control in those moments and he isn't always proud of the way he addresses the room. But even so, there is something innate that speaks to this group and those who went before them.
Guardiola particularly let loose at Phil Foden after City dropped points against Crystal Palace
Watching the 53-year-old in the film is mesmeric and how Guardiola continues to find new ways of relaying the same messages is a significant part of City's domestic dominance
He sometimes doesn't say anything - a motivational video montage of the team's entire season that he shows his players before they beat West Ham on the final day is a perfect example. So when he does speak, it sticks.
It cannot be chance that a rousing half-time speech at Tottenham, in a must-win clash days before the season finale against West Ham, is followed by City going 1-0 up six minutes after the break.
He'd made out they were feeble in the first half. Points needed proving. 'This is my feeling right now: I say, "Let's go" and it is, "Ah yeah, let's go". It doesn't work if you don't believe it inside.' Guardiola starts slamming the desk.
'Now is the moment you have to prove how incredible you are as a team. You cannot go home regretting that I was not me.'
They didn't - and they need some of that now because Tottenham and Liverpool lie in wait over the next fortnight.
