Danny Murphy has highlighted one figure who has played a key role in Manchester City’s success in recent years.
Last season saw the Citizens win their fifth Premier League title in six years as well as the FA Cup and their first Champions League.
With the Blues now in the frame to repeat that Treble ahead of today’s Champions League quarter-final showdown against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium, one pundit has shared his thoughts on how and why the Manchester club have been so dominant.
Murphy says one man has been vital to Man City’s trophy haul
Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy had this to say about the trophies City could win this season and who he feels has been the key factor in their previous successes.
He said: “Even if they didn’t win the FA Cup, just won the Champions League and league again, my God.
“I mean, the levels they’re setting, the relentless hunger and desire that team are showing and so many of them by the way.
“This is the key to great players, so many of them have won so much, you’d think they’d take their foot off the gas a little bit.
“But for me, Pep [Guardiola] is the key factor in the motivation of those players. You have a self-motivation, of course, to get to the level you want but the manager creates this intensity at City and this constant need for more, you never see it subside.
“Football is cyclical, when Pep leaves, they won’t be the same.”
Pep Guardiola has made himself a key figure in City’s history
Since the 53-year-old was appointed as City’s manager back in 2016, he has overlooked 463 games in all competitions prior to tonight’s game against Real, winning 342, drawing 57 and losing 64.
In terms of the trophies he’s won for the club, Guardiola has lifted five Premier Leagues, four League Cups, two FA Cups and one Champions League as well as the UEFA SuperCup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
As Murphy mentioned, the way the City boss, who is picking up a weekly wage of £378k-a-week, has been able to motivate and push his players to keep winning trophies is what makes him a special manager in our view.
