Pep Guardiola insists he is focusing on ‘making people happy’ than making history at Manchester City

It seemed unthinkable not so long ago, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s crown as The Greatest is under threat as Manchester City are just 11 games away from making history.

Should Pep Guardiola’s City match United’s 1999 Treble and win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, many would argue that the Catalan had taken over Govan’s most famous son as the best manager in the last 50 years.

While Fergie has won more league titles (16 to Pep’s 10) and won a pair of Champions Leagues each, Guardiola has already won his own English Grand Slam of the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup and is regarded as a coaching guru in a like Ferguson never was.

And scary enough, the City boss is only 52 years and three months old – Fergie had only won his first Premier League title at that age.

City, led by Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland, left everyone spinning with their 4-1 win against title rivals Arsenal on Wednesday and will move into top spot when they beat Fulham on Sunday.

But City’s win against Arsenal has led many to believe a record-breaking treble is within reach

Sir Alex Ferguson had not won his first Premier League title until he was Guardiola’s current age

They are bookmakers’ favorites in all three leagues they play in, with a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and an FA Cup final against United ahead.

Talk of legacy and Guardiola’s place in history is inevitable as the City juggernaut continues, but the man himself insists it’s not motivation.

“Live the moment,” he says. ‘The rest doesn’t matter. I don’t live for my history. I like being here because I get the chance to do something that makes people happy. History, Dad! You are here and there is another. Continue.

“When you die, the next of kin remember you for a few days and then it’s gone. It’s sad but true!’

With a fifth title in six years – something not even Sir Alex bettered – in their own hands, the City manager fears he is being defined by more than trinkets and statistics.

“It’s enough that people like to look at us these days,” he says. “I always say it’s important to make people happy. To be better than an exceptional team like Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

‘If people laugh when they think back to this period, that is the greatest compliment. Better than any trophy.

“When you go to the movies, music concerts, you want to have fun. Managers and players can’t forget it, even fighting for the title.

The Spanish manager ensured that City were in top form in all competitions

Especially the collaboration between Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland has been invaluable to the team

“Everything in my life exceeds my expectations. I never expected what I have lived, not even promoted with the Barcelona B team.

“If I end my career tomorrow, I can’t wish for anything else. That’s why sometimes people don’t like Pep, because I’ve been so lucky, I’m sorry. We cannot deny that it would be exceptional to win another Premier League and that is in our hands.”

City have been top scorers in each of Guardiola’s last five seasons – even the year they finished 18 points behind Liverpool – and they have the most goals again this season.

They have spent large sums of money to be the dominant force in English football, but they have also spent it wisely.

Of the top 10 transfers in Premier League history, only one was made by City, for Jack Grealish. Romelu Lukaku appears alone twice in the list and cost Manchester United and Chelsea a combined £173 million.

Goalkeeper Ederson, who was on the verge of equaling Peter Schmeichel’s record of five Premier League titles for a goalkeeper, cost £35 million – less than half what Chelsea paid for Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Manuel Akanji’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer was just under £15 million and he has started 32 games this season – more than any other City defender. By comparison, Tottenham spent £42 million on Davinson Sanchez and United spent £80 million on Harry Maguire.

While outsiders saw Akanji’s price tag as an indication that he would be a supporting actor, the Switzerland international did not see it that way and he has proven it.

Manuel Akanji has proved to be an excellent strategic signing for the club since his arrival in 2022

Football director Txiki Begiristain played with Guardiola at Barcelona and their close relationship has transformed Manchester

He has mainly been used as a commanding centre-back, but has also played at right-back and last week kept Bukayo Saka quiet at left-back.

‘I knew what I was capable of. I didn’t come thinking I might get a game, I’m not that type. It’s the confidence I have,” says Akanji. “The way the club does transfers, they like players who fit into systems and can learn a lot of new things.”

With Guardiola’s old Barça teammate Txiki Begiristain masterminding the signing and Pep himself able to focus on reaching new heights, City look unstoppable, unbeaten in 17 games, 14 of them wins.

Captain Ilkay Gundogan says, “It just clicked. We are confident, defend well, create chances, score many goals. That should be the level for the coming weeks.’