Pep Guardiola happy to replicate Ferguson’s feat

Moments after becoming the first manager to win the treble with two different Clubsides in Europe, Spanish manager, and Manchester City Boss Pep Guardiola has stated that he is happy to be in the same category as British great Alex Ferguson, who in 1999 also led Manchester United to a treble of the Premier League title FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester City, close neighbors with Manchester United, who were termed noisy neighbors by Alex Ferguson before his retirement as Manchester United manager, replicated the feat 23 years later after winning the Premier League, beating Manchester United to the FA Cup and winning the UEFA Champions League by beating Inter Milan at the Ataturk stadium in Istanbul Turkey.

A second-half strike from Spanish midfielder Rodri was enough to see Manchester City through as the UEFA Champions League champions for 2023 in just their second UEFA Champions League final after losing the 2021 final to Chelsea.

After the game on Saturday, Pep Guardiola stated that it wasn’t an easy feat to win the titles that his side managed this season.

“I’m tired, calm, and satisfied. It’s so difficult to win. It was written in the stars. It belongs to us. Now is the time to celebrate. I am looking forward to Monday afternoon in Manchester with our coach and three trophies [as part of a victory parade]. It is an honor for me to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. I got a message from him this morning, and it is an honor,” added Guardiola.

Manchester City will now play in their first FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi in December by virtue of winning the UEFA Champions League and also have a season-opening community shield fixture against Arsenal in August.

They have also been grouped in Pot 1 of the UEFA Champions League draws for next season along with Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, PSG, Benfica, and Feyenoord.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu