Relief for Guardiola with Champions League win fuelled by patience and money from City’s owners

Pep Guardiola (left) speaking after this team's Champions League final win over Inter Milan

Pep Guardiola (left) speaking after this team's Champions League final win over Inter Milan Credit: Tom Dulat/UEFA/Getty Images

Macdara Ferris report from the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul

Back in 1992, Pep Guardiola was a crucial member of the Barcelona team who finally won the club’s first European Cup.

The view in recent years was that Manchester City must win their first Champions League for Pep Guardiola to position himself as the best coach in Europe – having won twice previously with Barcelona but failed to win at Bayern Munich and at City to date.

So Guardiola cut almost a relieved figure in the early hours of Sunday morning when he came in to talk to the assembled press after securing City’s first European Cup crown.

“It is a big relief to win this trophy,” admitted the Sky Blues boss. “I remember 1992, the first Barcelona win, and we suffered then and felt the pressure. So I know how it feels the first time to win it. I am incredibly satisfied.”

It means Guardiola’s City side has matched Manchester United’s treble team from 1999. “It is an honour to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. He sent me a message today that touched me.”

No discussion about the Sky Blues victory should pass without mentioning the funding for the City project funnelled into the club since 2008.

“The main reason why this club is where we are is that Sheikh Mansour took over this club,” said Guardiola who had Mansour watching City in the stands in Istanbul for the first time since 2010.

He thanked the club hierarchy, including the chairman, for having patience with him, having gone close especially against Chelsea in the final two years ago but not securing the trophy until this final in Türkiye. 

Guardiola said he wants to build on this win but admitted he is looking forward to a break when asked about what is to come.

“I need a break. The chairman said ‘London is the Champions League final venue next year’ but next season will be next season. Now is the time to celebrate.

“Now we have the first Champions League for City. I don’t want to disappear with just one but knowing me that isn’t going to happen.

“I want to congratulate Inter. I know how they feel as we had that feeling two years ago. They are the second best team in Europe. They had chances at the end and it could have gone to extra-time.

The difference was Rodri’s 68th minute winner. “It was a brilliant goal. The players know they will be remembered for the rest of their lives.”

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile