Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had special words for his players and their mentality while also stating the bond of his team is as strong as ever.
The 53-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season and he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with rumours swirling of him potentially stepping down.
The Spaniard had admitted before the start of the season that he would wait until the new campaign to see his new players’ connection.
Speaking before Saturday’s game against Southampton, Guardiola who had admitted the above yardstick would be vital to his decision expressed satisfaction at the state of things.
“I’m happy, a lot.
“I’m impressed. I never thought when I arrived here (in 2016), a ninth season and still we have this amount of consistency in our game.
“We’re still creating more than the opponent and concede less than the opponent, so this balance is so good.
“I could not be more thankful to these players for what we are trying to do and the way we are doing it.
“I never had doubt about that. I said a month ago, I see them in training sessions every day and still they are alive, they feel it.”
Guardiola will also decide his future by putting some other things into consideration.
He has said he will consider his wife and family, while the departure of City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain at the end of this season could also affect his decision.
But Guardiola relaxed any fears that his relationship with his players was in danger of fading away.
“They have an incredible mentality.”Most of them are so strong, so competitive.
“There’s a tendency to relax, I always have this concern when we win again. What is going to happen? A drop after you win. But I don’t see it.
“Everyone pushes each other. They push me and push my staff with ideas, with new things. If I don’t like it, they accept it well because it’s for the team.
“They forget immediately, win or lose. They’re on to the next, what’s next? They’re true competitors,” he added.
