Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has encouraged his players to “enjoy life” despite the pressures of the ongoing Premier League title battle with Arsenal.
Fresh from another hard-fought victory, the City boss struck a relaxed yet purposeful tone when addressing his squad’s mindset during the closing months of the campaign as fixtures continue to come thick and fast, and with added importance.
With the fixture list intensifying and margins at the top of the table tightening, Pep Guardiola believes balance away from the pitch is just as important as sharpness on it as the club continues to grant days off from work scheduling when possible.
Manchester City’s latest success came in front of an intense home crowd at the Etihad Stadium, where the title-chasing hosts edged past Newcastle United to keep the pressure firmly on Arsenal.
The result continued an impressive run of form, but also underlined Pep Guardiola’s belief that mental freshness will be vital if Manchester City are to sustain their challenge across the run-in.
Speaking after City’s vital 2-1 win on Saturday night, and ahead of another period of sanctioned holiday for his players, Guardiola encouraged his team to “enjoy life” amid the intensity of their work.
“I said to the players, ‘Guys what we have to do is take a lot of caipirinhas, daiquiris in these three days [off]! ENJOY life’,” Guardiola told reporters.
The Catalan coach continued, “And after that [three days off], make a proper three training sessions, and go to Leeds.”
But on the subject of the Premier League title battle and the momentum built by Manchester City in recent weeks, Pep Guardiola insisted that more dropped points are still to come in the remaining matches of the season.
“I promise you, I’m honest with you, many things are going to happen! I have the feeling we are not going to win all the games, I don’t know about Arsenal. I have the feeling we are not going to win all the games, this is my feeling,” admitted Guardiola.
City’s narrow win over Newcastle was built on a blistering first-half spell, with academy graduate Nico O’Reilly scoring twice to give the hosts control, before a nervy second half tested their composure.
Despite the anxiety late on, the three points moved City to within touching distance of the league leaders and ensured the title race remains firmly alive. Guardiola’s reference to the trip to Leeds also highlights the relentless nature of the schedule, with little time to reflect.
As the Premier League season edges towards its climax, Pep Guardiola appears determined to keep his Manchester City players grounded, relaxed, and fully prepared for the twists still to come.