Pep Guardiola becomes first coach to achieve this milestone following Manchester City’s Champions League win

In a history-making day for Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola led the Premier League club to their first-ever UEFA Champions League glory. The Cityzens secured a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final held at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. The winning goal came from Rodri in the 68th minute, sealing an incredible treble for Manchester City, who were already crowned Premier League and FA Cup champions in the 2022-23 season.

This triumph marked a significant milestone for Guardiola, as he became the first coach to win the treble twice in his career. His previous achievement came during the 2008-09 season with Barcelona. What sets Guardiola’s feat apart is the fact that he accomplished this remarkable feat with two different clubs, further emphasizing his exceptional managerial abilities.

Additionally, Guardiola joined an exclusive group of managers who have won the Champions League with two different clubs. The other members of this prestigious list include Jose Mourinho (Porto and Inter Milan), Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich and Real Madrid), Carlo Ancelotti (AC Milan and Real Madrid), Ernst Happel (Hamburg and Feyenoord), and Ottmar Hitzfield (Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund). Guardiola’s name now rightfully belongs among these legendary figures in football history.

Despite Guardiola’s domestic success since his arrival at Manchester City, the elusive Champions League glory had previously eluded the team. However, with this triumph, that is no longer the case. Speaking to the media after the final against Inter Milan, the Spanish coach expressed his relief and contentment, stating that winning this coveted trophy is an incredibly challenging endeavour. Guardiola admitted feeling tired but satisfied, acknowledging the immense difficulty of achieving such a feat.

It was written in the stars – Guardiola

Guardiola attributed the team’s success to both luck and fine margins. He mentioned Ederson’s crucial saves in the final moments of the match, emphasizing that the Champions League can often be decided by the smallest of details. The momentum gained from winning the Premier League and FA Cup played a significant role in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign. Guardiola stressed the importance of patience, both in the final and throughout the entire season.

“It was written in the stars that we’d win this season – and we did. I’m feeling tired, calm and satisfied. This fu*king trophy is so difficult to win. We knew it would be hard. They are really good. We were anxious in the first half but it was a question of being patient. I told them to be patient,” said Guardiola following City’s hard-fought victory in Istanbul.

Manchester City’s triumph in the Champions League also saw them become the first English team since Manchester United in the 1998-99 season to secure the European treble. With a talented core of players and Guardiola’s exceptional managerial skills, the team finally reached their maximum potential.

As Guardiola and his team bask in the glory of their historic achievement, the manager expressed his need for a break and admitted having no energy to think about the next season. He acknowledged that the journey will start from scratch once again, with the treble being an incredibly arduous task to accomplish.

Pep Guardiola’s double treble-winning career stands as a testament to his exceptional coaching abilities, tactical acumen, and leadership skills. His achievements will forever be etched in football history, solidifying his status as one of the greatest managers of all time.