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Pep’s delight at Bayern record

FC Hollywood wrap up fastest German Bundesliga title triumph

Pep Guardiola secured the Bundesliga title in record time on Tuesday, then promptly praised the work of his Bayern Munich predecessor Jupp Heynckes, whose record the Spaniard broke.

Bayern claimed their 24^th German league title with a 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin as Guardiola’s European champions claimed the domestic league title with seven games to spare.

The Bavarian giants broke their own record for the earliest confirmed league title win, set last April under Heynckes en route to the treble of European, league and cup titles, by one match.

“We won the title with hard work and when you see what Jupp Heynckes achieved last season, that was the only way we were going to better that,” said Guardiola.

“He laid the foundations.” In his debut season, Guardiola has now won three titles in nine months after last August’s Uefa Super Cup triumph and December’s Club World Cup success having won 14 titles in four years at Barcelona.

“Obviously I’m delighted that we have retained the title,” said Guardiola as his side opened up an unassailable 25-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund. I want to thank my players and the club who have helped me achieve this.

“We had a lot of injuries in recent months and we have not always played well, but my players showed character.

Tonight we were very active from the start, but in the second half we lost a little of our control. I am just happy we have finally managed it.

“It didn’t matter when we got it just as long as we won the title for this great club.

“We’ll celebrate today and tomorrow.”

Bayern’s 19^th consecutive Bundesliga win also extends their record unbeaten league run to 52 matches. They are still on course to become the first side to finish a Bundesliga season unbeaten.

“It’s unbelievable to clinch the title on the back of an unbeaten record,” said winger Arjen Robben.

Jurgen Klopp, coach of rivals Borussia Dortmund offered Guardiola his congratulations.

“It’s unbelievable the way you have torn things up down there,” said Klopp, whose second-placed side were held to a goalless draw at home to Schalke in the Ruhr derby. “You’re so far ahead, we’d need a telescope to see you.

“It’s a fantastic achievement.”