For Pep Guardiola, that is probably just as well. For all the Spaniard’s brilliance in turning City into English football’s dominant force and raising the standards required to reach the summit of the domestic game to an unimaginable high, if European success were a non-negotiable, he would, by default, be out of a job.
The trajectory of City’s continental progress under Guardiola has taken them from still feeling like top-table new boys to something approaching perennial favourites but, so far, no further. Five seasons have, in the absolute sense, returned five failures. One final, no dice.
The man who has moulded the Premier League’s all-star, all-conquering champions (defending and, almost certainly, elect) does not need reminding of that fact, nor that for the greatest coach of his generation 11 years between drinks is too long, although, of course, he still will be.
Denne historien er fra February 15, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra February 15, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
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Money is worth less than time'
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London's best festive restaurants
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Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
