As long as I live, no one will reach 100 points in the Premier League again

Pep Guardiola is going through one of the most challenging periods of his time at Manchester City, but his impact on English football remains undeniable.

Since his arrival in 2016, he has transformed City into a dominant force, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and even leading the club to their first-ever Champions League triumph. However, the 2017/18 season remains one of the most historic campaigns in English football history. That year, Manchester City became the first team ever to accumulate 100 points in a single Premier League season, earning them the nickname "The Centurions." Guardiola now firmly believes that this record will never be broken, simply because the competition in England has intensified beyond what was seen in previous eras.

City’s dominance continued well beyond that remarkable 100-point season. Under Guardiola, they won four consecutive Premier League titles from 2020 to 2023, an achievement no club had ever managed before. However, as the current campaign progresses, City finds themselves struggling to keep pace with an in-form Liverpool side, trailing by a massive 20 points. This has sparked conversations about the end of their dominance and the shifting dynamics of English football. In a recent discussion with former manager Neil Warnock, now a pundit for Sky Sports, Guardiola shared his thoughts on how the Premier League has changed and why he believes no team will ever again replicate what his City squad achieved in previous seasons.

"I don’t know how it was in your time, but since I arrived here nine years ago, the Premier League has changed a lot," Guardiola told Warnock. "The level has changed. Before, anyone could beat anyone, but there were only two or three teams really competing for the title. Now, there are many more clubs capable of challenging for it." His comments reflect the ongoing transformation in English football, where financial backing, tactical improvements, and smarter recruitment have made the league more competitive than ever.

Guardiola highlighted the strength of mid-table clubs as a key factor behind why surpassing 100 points has become virtually impossible. "Look at Bournemouth and Brighton, they are exceptional," he continued. "And it’s not just them. Even teams fighting relegation can cause problems. Look at Wolves their players, their managers. When you play against them, you think: I have to watch out for that player and that one as well. More and more, they are able to compete with us. It’s getting harder."

His words underline how clubs outside the traditional "Big Six" have made significant strides in recent years. Mid-table and lower-table teams no longer approach matches against the top sides with a defensive, damage-limitation mentality. Instead, many of them press high, maintain possession, and play aggressive, attacking football. Brighton, for instance, have become one of the most tactically sophisticated teams in the league, playing possession-based football that has troubled even the biggest clubs. Bournemouth, under new management, have also adopted an attacking approach, making them a tough opponent on any given day.

Guardiola also pointed out that even relegation-threatened clubs are no longer easy to beat. "There are no easy games anymore," he added. "Even if you dominate possession, teams have ways to hurt you. The level of coaching in the Premier League is incredible." This increase in overall quality across the league has resulted in fewer runaway champions. While Manchester City’s 100-point season saw them finish 19 points ahead of second-placed Manchester United, such dominance is unlikely to be repeated due to the increasing difficulty of securing wins against all teams, not just title challengers.

Beyond the improvement in mid-table clubs, Guardiola believes that the sheer intensity of the Premier League schedule makes it nearly impossible for any team to replicate City's past success. English teams face a grueling calendar, with domestic cup competitions like the FA Cup and EFL Cup placing additional demands on players. Unlike other top leagues where elite clubs can afford to rotate against weaker opponents, Premier League teams must field strong lineups in almost every match to remain competitive. Guardiola has repeatedly voiced concerns about player fatigue and fixture congestion, arguing that the relentless schedule prevents teams from maintaining the high levels of consistency required to reach 100 points.

When asked whether any club would ever again achieve what City managed in 2017/18, Guardiola was emphatic in his response. "That’s why no one will reach 100 points again. And no one will win the Premier League four times in a row either," he concluded. Warnock, who has seen the evolution of English football firsthand, agreed, adding, "Not in my lifetime, at least."

One thing that appears increasingly certain is that Manchester City will not make it five Premier League titles in a row. Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp, has built a commanding lead, and City’s inconsistent form has left them unable to mount a serious challenge this season. But while their dominance may be under threat, Guardiola’s legacy remains intact. His team redefined English football with their possession-based, high-pressing, and fluid attacking approach.

Whether Guardiola is correct in his assessment remains to be seen. While his claim that no team will reach 100 points again is understandable given the competition, football is always evolving. There was a time when it seemed impossible for any team to achieve a 100-point season, yet City managed it. The same could be said for winning four consecutive titles something that had never been done before in English football until Guardiola's side rewrote history. The challenge is immense, but football has a way of surprising people.

As Guardiola and City focus on the remainder of the season, the question remains: is this truly the end of an era, or will another team perhaps even City themselves rise again in the future to challenge these supposed impossible feats? One thing is certain: the Premier League remains as unpredictable and fiercely competitive as ever, and that is precisely why fans around the world love it.