Pep Guardiola is technically correct in describing managing Manchester City as his biggest challenge to date, we can confirm.

The former Barcelona and current Bayern Munich boss, decorated, was speaking exclusively to Football Burp when he looked back over his career and concluded that guiding City’s £1bn squad to additional glory would provide his sternest test yet.

He said: “It’s not been easy winning all these trophies at Barca and Bayern, at least depending on your definition of ‘easy’.

“If you’re one of those people who defines ‘easy’ as ‘achieved without great effort’ or ‘presenting few difficulties’, then sure, you could argue it has been easy.

“But football’s rarely that straightforward, unless of course you’re able to call upon players like Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski week after week.

“Which I have been, so little wonder then that I’ve had more strolls in the park than the owner of a claustrophobic dog.

“It’s going to be marginally tougher thrashing teams as a matter of routine now, because let’s face it, Sergio Agüero is no Messi.

“And let’s face it, David Silva is no Iniesta. So I’ll have to learn quick how to manage a side with my hands effectively tied behind my back.

“Weep for me, mortals.”

He added: “Maybe I’ll manage Celtic next.

“I reckon I could do well there.”