Manchester City won an unprecedented fourth straight English top flight title with a 3-1 win over West Ham United on Sunday (May 19) to pip rivals Arsenal on the final day of a thrilling Premier League season, sending fans onto the pitch in a sea of blue.
Manager Pep Guardiola then raised the prospect of leaving the club minutes after the final whistle, telling Sky News: “The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying,” before clarifying that there would be no immediate departure from the club he has managed since 2016.
At a news conference, Guardiola did not elaborate beyond saying he was naturally tired after another mammoth effort that ended in a remarkable sixth title in seven years for City.
But he reassured fans that he was up for the challenge of next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester United and would no doubt find the motivation again for the next Premier League season as he has done repeatedly.
Guardiola was modest about his latest achievement, saying other managers such as Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson had achieved more than him in the past.
And he was full of praise for this season’s rivals, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who pushed him throughout.
Guardiola paid emotional tribute to Klopp, who managed Liverpool for the last time on Sunday, saying he was a great personality who had driven him to new heights.
Arteta, his former assistant at Manchester City, was another formidable rival who was there to stay, Guardiola said.
Arsenal finished just two points behind Manchester City after pushing them to the final day of the season.
(Reuters)