Adversity stirs something primal in him, so it is no surprise the manager chose to sign a new contract now

“Come here guys, come here,” shouts Pep Guardiola as the Manchester City players gather in the dressing room of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s 0-0 at half-time, the Premier League title is slipping away and the energy levels are frail, bordering dead.

Kevin De Bruyne dabs sweat from his brow. Erling Haaland urges his teammates to keep going. An unseen staff member asks whether anyone is still in the toilets. It feels somehow fitting that this question does not come from Guardiola. Great orators should not have to corral their audience out of the can in advance.