Former Manchester City midfielder Owen Hargreaves has hailed the work of manager Pep Guardiola this season.

City were officially named Premier League champions on Tuesday evening after nearest rivals Manchester United lost to Leicester .

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Hargreaves stressed the importance of City's defensive improvement over the last few months.

“They've been by far the best team," he said. “They started really slow [but] it's just amazing what Pep is able to do.

“I don't think anybody would have said that Pep could have the best defence in the Premier League last season.

“To be able to have fewest goals conceded, to dominate in a different way without a centre-forward, it's been quite remarkable."

Hargreaves also had a shot for those who thought Guardiola would struggle to replicate his success in Spain and Germany when he first arrived in England.

“Pep's the ultimate innovator.

"We saw it again this season and, for the people who said he couldn't do it in the Premier League, three [titles] in four years, that's a pretty significant statement to everyone."