Pep Guardiola says Champions League win completes City stay

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that his time at the club wouldn’t be complete without Champions League glory. The Spaniard has been in Manchester since 2016. There, he has essentially won every other major trophy possible. This includes collecting nine total significant cups in six full seasons at the helm.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Guardiola talked about the significance of winning the Champions League.

“It’s not the only one but I admit it is the trophy that we want,” said the coach. “It will not be complete my period here if we do not win it but it is not the only reason I extended my contract, absolutely not.”

“I will do everything in this time we have together and I will try but I would say the same, we have tried before. It is the trophy that we don’t have and we will try to do it.”

Pep Guardiola missed out on Champions League in 2021

After three consecutive defeats at the quarterfinal stage, City finally reached the Champions League final in 2021. However, fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea edged Pep’s team 1-0 in Portugal. City was knocked out of the semifinals last season to eventual winners Real Madrid.

Guardiola signed a new contract extension just last month as he hopes to give City Champions League glory. He also spoke about his relationship with City’s management and how it influenced his decision to remain at the club.

“It is difficult for me to reject them because of the confidence they have in more and our staff and how they want us to do our best,” Guardiola said. “I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to this club, to Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], to Ferran [Soriano] and everyone in the club to have me here.”

Guardiola has experience lifting the cup

While Guardiola has not brought Champions League triumph to City just yet, he has won the trophy before. The Spaniard collected two European titles during his time as Barcelona manager in 2009 and 2011.

City and their manager continue their quest for a Champions League trophy as they next face RB Leipzig in the round of 16 on Feb. 22.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus