The Spaniard is only interested in Newcastle United this weekend
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola will speak to the media this afternoon
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola(Image: Naomi Baker - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola insists he is not interested in anything but preparing to face Newcastle United, despite the Premier League title race taking a new twist this week.
Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Wolves on Wednesday night means City are now just five points behind Mikel Arteta's men, with a game in hand. The two sides meet at the Etihad in April in what could be a title decider.
However, Guardiola was only focused on tonight's game with Eddie Howe's men and refused to be drawn on the race for top spot.
Newcastle head to the North West on the back of three consecutive away wins, although have only won once at the Etihad, in a League Cup game.
"Twelve games is a lot," Guardiola said. "Newcastle is all I am concerned with. I'm not concerned with the League Cup final with Arsenal until it comes.
"Now it's rest and after Leeds. You want to anticipate what is going to happen, we know who is going to be champion but that doesn't count. It's Newcastle.
"I don't know. I don't know what is going to happen these next 12 games."
That has extended to even not speaking with the players about any title race, with Guardiola not looking beyond the next fixture.
"I didn't speak one second about that with my players," he added.
"Yesterday and the day before it was Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle. I didn't talk about the position or the table.
"I could not care less. It's 12 games. Ask me this question with two or three games and I will answer but 12 games left is an eternity. That is the only truth I have."
Guardiola also reflected on his time spent with former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson at Barcelona, saying it was an honour to work under the great man.
"What a man," he said. "I was fortunate and lucky to have him at Barcelona for one season - a true gentleman.
"It was not easy because he replaced the legend in the Barcelona team of Johan Cruyff, replacing a huge personality like him.
"It was a huge honour, the team training, and then with the national team he made an incredible World Cup in Italy.
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