JACK GAUGHAN: Pep steals the show to underline why City could make it 5 in a row

It's all one big happy coincidence that Manchester City's latest documentary, which charts their run to a fourth consecutive Premier League title and is styled in a way that speaks to the genius of Pep Guardiola, is released the same week as their manager agrees to a new contract.

CEO Ferran Soriano was in screen 12 of Manchester's Printworks cinema doing a Q&A before the premiere of Together: 4-In-A-Row when news broke that Guardiola had already given the thumbs up to his stay to extend to a milestone 10th year.

It's a jackpot City never dreamed of winning. No wonder Soriano came across as assertive.

The 90-minute film produced in-house, linked to the Catalan's signature until at least 2026, served as a reminder of what City have at their disposal.

Despite four consecutive defeats in all competitions – something new for Guardiola, finally a record he would rather not have – this reminder of his man-management skills should occupy some minds in the dressing room. He swears a lot, Guardiola. Just like every manager.

He swears by Phil Foden for giving Crystal Palace a draw last December – 'in the bloody 18 yard box you don't touch the opponent… it's unacceptable, Phil' – and he vows to emphasize how good, he believes that this team is that.

“The legacy is the way you fucking play,” he barks after the storming 3-2 last-minute win over Newcastle United in January. He paces around those rooms and stalks to build up the tension. The eyes of players and staff follow him in a silent trance.

He is fascinating to watch and the way Guardiola continues to find new ways to deliver the same messages is a key part of City's domestic dominance. A domestic dominance that is currently under threat from Arne Slot's resurgent Liverpool.

Guardiola tells players that 'the storm always passes' in one team chat. City's hope will be that the clouds have lifted over the international break, allowing for more players to be available after injury and an improvement in overall performance.

Guardiola has form when it comes to provoking a response. That dressing down from Foden, days before the Club World Cup, brought him to life – the midfielder ended the campaign as PFA Players' Player of the Year – and also sent a warning to everyone else.

“You are not boys, you are not teenagers,” Guardiola said. 'Did I say anything when we dropped points against Tottenham and Liverpool? Did I say something? Tell me. I blame you? Am I saying something? F****** hell, f****** hell.”

Well, he did after Spurs. Mad after conceding another late equalizer, Guardiola burst into a room full of squabbling players. They kept their mouths shut. He started.

“That's the level, my friends,” he says, hammering his chest. 'That's why no one has played four Premier Leagues in a row. That's why. Take responsibility, my friends.'

Guardiola has since admitted that he lost control in those moments and that he is not always proud of the way he approaches the room. Yet there is something innate that speaks to this group and those who came before them.

Sometimes he doesn't say anything. A motivational video montage of the team's entire season, which he shows his players before they beat West Ham on the final day, is a perfect example of this. So when he speaks, it sticks.

It can't be a coincidence that a rousing half-time speech at Tottenham, in a must-win match before the season finale against West Ham, is followed by City leading 1-0 six minutes after half-time.

He had seen that they were weak in the first half. Points had to be proven. 'This is my feeling right now: I say, “Let's go” and it's, “Ah yes, let's go.” It doesn't work if you don't believe it inside.' Guardiola starts hitting the desk.

'This is the time to prove how great you are as a team. You can't go home and regret that I wasn't myself.'

They haven't – and they need some of that now as Tottenham and Liverpool loom in the next fortnight.