Pep Guardiola reassured Manchester City fans that the team would come back stronger next season after their disappointment in the FA Cup final, as the English champions celebrated their fourth consecutive Premier League title during a parade on Sunday.
Despite a loss to local rivals Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup final, Manchester City missed out on making history by becoming the first English team to achieve back-to-back league and cup doubles. Nonetheless, Guardiola’s team achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first side ever to win four consecutive English top-flight titles.
Amid heavy rain, thousands of supporters lined Manchester’s Deansgate area to witness the team’s parade on open-top buses, although the turnout was lower compared to last year’s celebration of a Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble.
Guardiola expressed confidence in the team’s future, stating, “We will be back next season. The FA Cup, we will take it.” Manchester City has claimed six of the last seven Premier League titles under Guardiola’s guidance, with just one year remaining on his contract.
While Guardiola dismissed the idea of staying in Manchester indefinitely, he affirmed his commitment to seeing out his current deal next season, acknowledging the unpredictability of long-term plans. He emphasized the importance of taking each season step by step, highlighting that success may seem routine but is anything but.
Phil Foden, who received the football writers’ player of the year award for his exceptional season, shared his hunger for continued success and emphasized the team’s collective desire to win more trophies in the upcoming season.
Despite Manchester City’s recent title victories, English international Kyle Walker defended the team’s commitment and professionalism, refuting claims that post-title celebrations had impacted their performance in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. Walker stressed that the players had ample time to recover between the celebrations and the match, indicating that external factors did not contribute to the defeat at Wembley.
