Pep Guardiola, known for his love of history, might appreciate a trip down memory lane, especially given his office at Manchester City overlooks a collection of non-fiction books. Yet, when it comes to past football events, particularly those involving the Premier League title being decided by goal difference, he seems less familiar.

When the idea was introduced that goal difference could determine this season’s Premier League champion, Guardiola was reminded of the dramatic 1989 scenario with Arsenal and Michael Thomas. That particular season ended with a thrilling last-minute victory at Anfield. However, Guardiola, who was a teenager playing in Spain’s third division at the time, admits he doesn’t recall the event vividly. It’s understandable, considering English football’s reach wasn’t as global then, except perhaps the FA Cup finals.

Guardiola’s response to the mention of Thomas’s decisive goal was light-hearted and dismissive. “Michael Thomas? Arsenal won because of one goal? Well, they can relax this season then, no need to stress,” he joked, showing no signs of anxiety.

As Manchester City prepared for their trip to Burnley, Guardiola seemed to offer a masterclass in handling pressure. With six Premier League titles already under his belt, he casually referenced Arsenal’s past while displaying his calm demeanor ahead of the final six matches. Despite criticism from figures like Wayne Rooney, he encouraged his players to celebrate their achievements passionately. In his media interactions, Guardiola appeared both attuned to the emotional stakes of the season’s conclusion and unfazed by any lingering uncertainties.

Now, the burden of history lies heavily on Guardiola. As he nears the end of his tenure in English football, this league campaign offers him the opportunity to solidify his legacy. It’s not just about personal accolades for Guardiola but also about setting the foundation for a new, promising City team poised to become the club’s next great ensemble.

There was a certainty to Pep Guardiola when he spoke ahead of Man City’s game at Burnley

The weight of history rests on Guardiola’s shoulders now. As he marches towards the finishing line of his time coaching in this country, this league marks the chance to cement a legacy trophy. For himself, obviously, but also the first notch for an inexperienced, newly assembled team that will fancy becoming the latest great City side.

‘Nervous was last season, the pressure last season,’ he said. ‘Now I’m more relaxed than ever. Now we enjoy it. The message is so clear. It’s not even a message, the players know it. They see me. My face speaks for itself perfectly. Sometimes they [don’t] need to talk when they see my eyes and my face. They know it.’

There was a certainty to Guardiola on Tuesday. Not the first rodeo and with renewed confidence having dispatched Arsenal twice, Liverpool and Chelsea over the last month. While not an exact science – draws with Nottingham Forest and West Ham looked to have taken title aspirations away from them – this has followed the general theme of City’s best years under this manager, the middling performances preceding an April where rivals are left wondering what on Earth just happened.

This absolute belief in the team and his own capabilities is a learned behaviour, dating back to a very first La Liga title in 2009. It was then when he harnessed the fundamentals of these charges, measuring success by performances and ‘being there’ – his language for being in contention – while devising how his teams can grow into seasons.

‘Always you talk about the past,’ he said. ‘Tomorrow [at Burnley], I know perfectly because I’ve been there in the past. When you make an incredible moment after going back away in the Premier League to a team, maybe not fighting for the title, it’s always so difficult.’

He’s here now and can say this freely. Yet this general progression, the speed with which they are challenging for another title as such a raft of club legends exited stage left in the post-Treble years, must come as a surprise to Guardiola given the numbers of new, younger faces. Even within the four-man captains’ group, Erling Haaland is in his first year of an official leadership role and doesn’t turn 26 until July.

The Norwegian sits alongside club captain Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Ruben Dias in the leadership committee and it is unquestionable that they have unified the squad.

‘The captains have been top and it’s not about age,’ said Guardiola. ‘A lot of [experienced] players were here last year and we were not competing good. It’s not about ‘I have experience so I will handle this situation’. I have zero belief in that.

‘We revealed a little bit [about how] good many players are with a good sense of togetherness. That I like.’

Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva are two of the four members of City’s leadership group

But what have the indomitable Silva and his companions actually done? The evidence of their fight was shown in the dying moments on Sunday when the injured Rodri – who is missing Burnley with a groin problem – was frantically directing traffic from the technical area. And Guardiola subtly suggested that the standards have gone up.

‘It is to show what is required to create a group,’ he added. ‘The players who don’t play show disappointment… it’s normal but there are boundaries, limits. How they hug each other, support in the bad moments.

‘The leaders talk a lot with the guys, to say they have experience and it never ends, that this league is so long, that whatever happens continue, continue. It’s many things.

‘The legacy for the older players is that we have to deal with these kind of situations. That’s why I’m a manager, to live these moments.’