Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola says he has never been self-critical even when things did not go his way.

Pep has guided Man City to three EPL titles in four seasons and is on the cusp of recording a historic treble (they won the League Cup defeating Tottenham Hotspur) as they face Chelsea in the Champions League final on May 29.

But things were not that rosy for Pep and his band of men in November last year when the new champions were eight points off the leaders. But the Spaniard said he did not lose sleep over it.

“In November, when we were far away from the top of the league, I said to myself, ‘Relax, try to discover what’s happened, try to improve with next game, it’s just November’.

“We all know the Premier League is long. So my hunch was nothing would be decided until the last five games. And that is what we have done. So it’s not about being self-critical. It leads you nowhere. The best thing is to analyse what we are doing. We are not here to judge in November or December and be critical of ourselves. I always try to be positive,” the most successful coach of modern-day club football asserted.

“When things go our way, there are a lot of praises. But I do not get swayed by those. I remain calm because I always think even when you are on a roll, when you are winning matches on the trot, there is always room for improvement.”

Man City looked down and out after suffering a 0-2 loss to Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur on November 21. “There was a lot of talk about how we were faltering at every step. Pundits had written us off. Frankly, at that point in time I was also not thinking about winning the title. I am optimistic but realistic too. I knew our game was not up to the mark.

“The focus was on improving our game. Focus was to take one game at a time and win. And now you can see that’s exactly what we have done. That’s why we’re the champions,” Pep revealed.

Guardiola said his message to the players was to keep it simple and not to think much about the league table. “When you are far away from the league leaders, you cannot think about even qualifying for the Champions League. So the message was to improve the game plan.

“You have to keep in mind that the world was and is still in an extraordinary situation because of the pandemic. There were disappointments all around and Man City were no exceptions.

“Players were getting infected by the virus every second day, there were injuries…. the disappointment of losing to Lyon in the 2019-20 Champions League… The going was getting really tough. But once we settled down and found a pattern to play day in and day out, things started falling into place.”

He singled out the match against Chelsea (Frank Lampard was at the helm then) on January 3 this year as the turning point. “The (3-1) win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea with just 14 players... That game gave us the belief that we can fight till the end. Also, others started dropping points and that too helped our cause. In a nutshell, our rivals were not as consistent as we were and that’s why we have won the Premier League this season.”

With the 2020-21 domestic campaign done and dusted — Man City host Everton in Premier League’s final-round match on Sunday — the focus has shifted to the Champions League final. “It’s a never-been-before moment for us. We have never been in the last four before this season, and now we are in the final also for the first time!

“We want to win the Champions League this season only. It’s a pleasure to be in the final. Of course, our focus is on the Everton match because the best way to prepare for May 29 is by getting ready for the matches you still have to play. For this club playing in the final is a dream come true and hopefully we will be able to showcase a memorable performance.”

Amidst all the euphoria and showering of praises, there is a tinge of sadness too in Man City. That’s because the most prolific goal-scorer in the club’s history will be leaving when the season ends. Guardiola, as usual, has all good things to say about Sergio Aguero.

“The impact this guy has had since he came to Manchester is mind-blowing. The numbers speak for themselves. He is one of the nicest persons I have ever met. Hopefully, he will play on Sunday and of course he will be in Porto (the venue for the Champions League final).

“He should be immensely proud of what he has achieved for Man City. What he has done for this club will always remain a part of the folklore. He scored the most important goal in the club’s history. I cannot compare that moment with the other Premier League titles we won later on.

“That goal (against Queens Park Rangers in May 2012), his control and the shot at that moment… It still gives goosebumps when I see it on YouTube… see the reactions all around the stadium. Yeah, when you have the talent to be able to do this, you will always remain in everyone’s heart.”

Man City v Everton will be live on Star Sports Select Network from 8.30pm