Despite a home defeat by Chelsea at the weekend, City have enjoyed a magnificent turnaround this season after picking up 12 points from their first eight games — their worst start since 2008-09.
Since then they have been head and shoulders above their rivals and since hitting the top have looked unstoppable.
After losing at Tottenham Hotspur in November, they won 22 of their next 27 matches, including a 15-game winning run and a record-equalling 11 successive away league wins.
“This has been a season and a Premier League title like no other,” Guardiola said after City were confirmed champions on Tuesday. “This was the hardest one. We will always remember this season for the way that we won. I am so proud to be the manager here and of this group of players.
“They are so special. To come through this season — with all the restrictions and difficulties we’ve faced — and show the consistency we have is remarkable.
“To come through this season, with all the restrictions and difficulties we’ve faced — and show the consistency we have is remarkable. It is relentless.”
The title marks the latest landmark in Guardiola’s glittering career at the club. After joining City in 2016, Guardiola landed his first league title at the Etihad a season later, as he masterminded a superb campaign where the club finished with a league-record 100 points.
City retained their title the next season, as Guardiola’s men edged Liverpool in a thrilling title race, finishing on 98 points — a point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side. In addition to domestic league glory, Guardiola has also lifted the League Cup four times in a row, as well as the FA Cup in 2019.
Guardiola’s success at City also means he has won three league titles in every division he has managed, following his triumphs in La Liga with Barcelona and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
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