Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, claimed Thursday that last season’s spectacular treble win was a “once in a lifetime” feat, as he attempted to reduce expectations on the eve of a new season.
City will begin the Premier League season away to Burnley on Friday, hoping to become the first team in English history to win four successive titles.
They will be favorites in every competition they enter, but Guardiola has warned against a repetition of last season’s triumphs, which included City being crowned European champions for the first time as well as winning the FA Cup.
“It feels like it finished yesterday but we start again,” Guardiola told a pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“I don’t think it will be possible to do what we did last season, it’s once in a lifetime. I said to the players forget about it.
“We climbed the highest mountain last season but we have come down that mountain now. We start from the same as everyone else, with the same intention and there will be a lot of difficulties to climb the mountain again.”
The 52-year-old Spaniard added: “What we have done remains in our hearts and minds but it’s over.
“The history speaks for itself but it is almost impossible to repeat.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola has declined to comment on reports connecting City, who were defeated on penalties by Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley last weekend, with a deal for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
The former Barcelona manager, on the other hand, was far more candid about the idea of facing a Burnley side managed by his former City captain Vincent Kompany, who led the Clarets back to the top division at the first attempt.
“Normally the first games are difficult, especially against newly-promoted teams because they have nothing to lose and the energy, the dream to do a good season,” said Guardiola.
“Apart from that, Vinny knows us well and he is doing an incredible job.
“He has changed the way Burnley play completely and they destroyed the Championship. It will be a tough, tough game.”