City Manager Insists European Glory is Essential to Cement Their Place Among Football’s Elite

Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that despite Manchester City’s impressive domestic achievements, their legacy as one of the greatest teams in football history hinges on winning the Champions League. The City manager emphasized that a treble, which would include the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, is essential to solidifying their place in footballing greatness.

City are on the verge of completing this historic feat, with their Champions League final against Inter Milan presenting a golden opportunity to join a select group of clubs who have achieved the treble. However, Guardiola is in agreement with those who argue that without success in Europe, City’s extraordinary domestic record, which has seen them dominate English football since 2018, will not be enough to elevate them to the level of all-time greats.

Guardiola pointed to teams such as Barcelona, who won the treble in 2009 under his leadership, as the benchmark for greatness. “Those teams have won not just once, but many times in Europe,” Guardiola stated. “It’s amazing being here again, nothing is going to change that, but if we are considered one of the best teams, we have to win the Champions League. To be in the books, the real books, you have to do that.”

Having taken charge of City in 2016, Guardiola believes his time in English football has helped shape him as a coach. Despite the differences in style between English football and his previous experiences in Spain and Germany, Guardiola is confident that his approach has evolved positively during his tenure in the Premier League.

While the upcoming final offers a chance to etch City’s name in history, Guardiola’s focus remains steadfast on continuing to evolve his team, with the Champions League as the final, crucial step in completing their legacy.