Man City Boss: Staying in Title Race Is Already a Success, Backs Kompany for Future Return

Ahead of Matchday 34 of the Premier League, Manchester City will face Burnley. In the second part of his pre-match press conference, which has now been released, the City manager stated that still being in the title race at the end of the season already counts as a success, and he also expressed his hope that Vincent Kompany could one day manage Manchester City.

If you win all your remaining matches, you could draw level with Arsenal on points. Does that make every goal crucial?
“Absolutely, of course. In theory, that scenario is possible, but the team cannot lose focus by obsessively chasing goals. That would disrupt our balance between attack and defence. We must maintain that balance. Everyone is looking at goal difference, and the logic is the same. I believe the opponents we’ll face next are all very strong, so it won’t be easy to build a big goal difference advantage. We just need to focus on the next opponent, give everything away from home, and win the game. Just like before facing Arsenal, we focus on the tactics of the match itself rather than worrying about the consequences of winning or losing.”

“Before the Arsenal game, everyone kept asking: what happens if we lose? What happens if we lose? No one asked what happens if we win. It’s the same now—we just need to be clear about how to beat Burnley. Whether we score goals depends on how the game unfolds. The more chances we create, the higher the probability of scoring.”

You’ve been in many title-deciding moments late in the season during your career. Do you still feel nervous in this situation?
“On the contrary, the nerves and anxiety were all last season. The pressure was enormous then—I was worried about not qualifying for the Champions League. Now I feel more relaxed than ever, even before facing Arsenal. We’ve already had an outstanding season, and now we should enjoy it. Everyone knows the objective for each match, I don’t need to repeat it constantly.”

“It’s completely different from last year. The night before our away game against Fulham last season, the pressure was overwhelming. Champions League qualification is hugely important for the club, and now we’ve secured it. In a few days, we’ll go to Wembley to compete with Southampton for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, while also pushing for the Premier League title. This is exactly the kind of football moment I enjoy most as a coach.”

This squad lacks extensive big-game experience and is relatively young. How would you rate their performance this season?
“The captains have been outstanding. In the past, the core of the team was mostly over 30, but now it’s Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland. Winning titles has nothing to do with age. Haaland isn’t even 30 yet, but he has already experienced countless big matches. The others have been competing at the highest level for years and have rich experience in decisive games. Many players are experiencing a title race for the first time, which feels completely different from anything before. Players like Cherki are also going through this for the first time—it’s all new to them.”

“Many of these players were already here last season, but the team didn’t perform well. I’ve never believed that seniority or experience alone guarantees stability—I completely disagree with that idea. Even the most experienced players can make mistakes at crucial moments. But I’m very satisfied with the players’ attitude in training, their performances on the pitch, and the team spirit. This is one of the best groups I’ve ever coached in terms of atmosphere and unity. The young players are extremely talented, and the team is very united—I’m truly proud of that.”

You seemed very calm before the Arsenal match, unlike in previous seasons. Why has your mindset changed?
“I learned something during my time at Barcelona: if your team is still in the title race at the end of the season, then it’s already a successful campaign. That’s why I feel much more composed now. The clash between Manchester City and Arsenal attracts global attention and is great promotion for the Premier League. But after that big game, returning to away matches in the league—especially against teams with nothing to play for—can actually be the toughest challenge. That will be our biggest test tomorrow.”

Do you think Vincent Kompany could manage Manchester City in the future?
“I said a long time ago that he will become a top manager sooner or later. He hasn’t been at Bayern for long, so he’ll stay in the Bundesliga in the short term. But if he returns to the Premier League in the future, Manchester City will definitely be his first choice.”