Pep Guardiola details 'touching' text message from Sir Alex Ferguson after Man City win treble
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Pep Guardiola has detailed the 'touching' text message Sir Alex Ferguson sent him ahead of their Champions League final clash against Inter Milan.
After securing an FA Cup and Premier League, the Citizens completed a historic treble at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul thanks to a second-half strike from Rodri.
It was a goal that sealed a first-ever Champions League trophy for City following an unforgettable campaign featuring 52 goals from record-breaking striker Erling Haaland.
And after the full time whistle, manager Pep Guardiola revealed a special message from former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson during a post-match interview.
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"I was so happy to get a message from Sir Alex Ferguson on my phone this morning. It touched me," he said. "I am so happy to be sat alongside Sir Alex. Winning the Treble is so difficult, but it was written in the stars that we would win this season."
Guardiola added: "This trophy is so difficult to win. This competition is a (toss of a) coin. But now it belongs to us. We knew it would be hard and we were anxious in the first half. It was a question of being patient - and we also had to be lucky with Ederson at the end.
"The momentum came from winning the Premier League and FA Cup and now we have this. I am tired, calm and satisfied. I have no energy to think of next season, when we will start from zero. We're going to celebrate in the hotel with family and friends and on Monday the parade is in Manchester."
Following his latest triumph in Europe, only Ferguson (26) and Bob Paisley (13) have won more major titles with English clubs in men's football than Guardiola.
🗣️ "It’s an honour to be alongside him."
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 11, 2023
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola shows his appreciation toward Sir Alex Ferguson after receiving a supportive message from him ahead of the final. 💬🤝 pic.twitter.com/3rZfo09Vf7
Rio Ferdinand, who played under Ferguson during his trophy-laden spell at Manchester United, said Guardiola’s achievements have surpassed the former United boss.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: "What Pep’s doing, the style of football and how he’s transcended the game and changes the game as and when it suits him,” he said.
“You can’t do anything but respect greatness like that. He doesn’t even need this [Champions League] trophy but it will shut up a lot of people who are chatting a lot of rubbish about how he needs this to be considered great.
“I don’t think he needs this. I genuinely think he is the best coach of a football team that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. Who puts something on the pitch, lays it out and coached them to play a certain way and the whole pyramid of football tried to do it?"
Rio Ferdinand “Pep is the best coach of a football team I have ever ever seen in my life.
— The Pep (@GuardiolaTweets) June 10, 2023
The whole football pyramid didn’t change their style of football for Sir Alex Ferguson or Carlo Ancelotti.
That’s Pep’s greatest legacy” #Pep #ReInventingTheGame pic.twitter.com/2X9CelJeJK
Ferdinand added: "Centre-backs standing on the corner [of the box] to receive the ball, that’s unheard of. The goalkeeper only saw their number as they ran up to the halfway line.
"With all due respect, Carlo Ancelotti, a Champions League legend, has done ridiculous things - Sir Alex Ferguson… but the whole pyramid didn’t change from their style of football, even given how great they are.
"That’s his greatness and his legacy.”
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports Premier League/Alamy
Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Sir Alex Ferguson, Champions League
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