ISTANBUL – Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, hailed his team’s historic Champions League victory as something “written in the stars” following their triumph over Inter Milan in the final on Saturday.
A 68th-minute goal by Rodri proved to be the difference as City secured their first-ever Champions League title, overcoming Inter’s missed opportunities in the second half.
Guardiola expressed his thoughts on the hard-fought 1-0 win, saying to BT Sport, “It’s so difficult to win it. They (his players) are really good. Be patient, I said at half-time. You have to be lucky. (Goalkeeper) Ederson or they miss it, they could draw. This competition is a coin. It was written in the stars. It belongs to us.”
With this victory, Guardiola has now won the Champions League three times as a coach, having previously achieved success with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
In addition to their Champions League triumph, City’s win completed a treble, following their successes in the Premier League and FA Cup this season.
“After the World Cup, the team made a step forward, and we were there,” Guardiola commented.
“We’re going to celebrate in the hotel with family and friends. On Monday, the parade is in Manchester. With this competition, the treble is so difficult.”
Guardiola’s accomplishment of a treble at an English club puts him in esteemed company, as he joins the likes of Alex Ferguson.
Expressing his gratitude, Guardiola said, “It is an honor for me to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson in that situation. I have to say I got a message from him this morning on my phone that touched me a lot. It is an honor for me to be with him. It is so nice.”
Manchester City had come close to securing the Champions League title on previous occasions since the club’s acquisition by their Abu Dhabi owners in 2008.
They suffered defeat in the final against Chelsea two years ago and were eliminated in the semi-finals last season by Real Madrid.
Unexpected losses to teams like Lyon and Tottenham Hotspur also dashed their hopes in recent years.
Guardiola acknowledged the significance of winning in Europe, stating, “You have to win in Europe to be considered a really good team, and we did it.
“Inter is an exceptional team, but sometimes you need this type of luck that we didn’t have in the past against Tottenham, in other games, in the final against Chelsea.”
Pep Guardiola wants winning culture to continue
While Guardiola expressed his desire for a break, he emphasized the importance of sustaining success in Europe.
“I don’t want after one Champions League to disappear, so we have to work harder next season and be there. There are teams that win the Champions League and after one or two seasons, they disappear. We have to avoid it,” he asserted.
Looking ahead, Guardiola hopes to retain the Champions League trophy, a feat achieved only by Real Madrid in the past three decades.
When asked about preparing for next season, he humorously replied, “No, don’t talk about it. Give me a break, please. My chairman said, ‘Oh, London is next season, the final of the Champions League.’ I don’t tell you my answer to him. We have time. Now is time to celebrate.”
Manchester City’s victory in the Champions League final marks a historic moment for the club, providing a sense of relief and solidifying their place among Europe’s elite.
Guardiola’s focus now shifts to maintaining their dominance and building a legacy in the years to come.
