Pep Guardiola vows FA Cup revenge as Manchester City celebrate title triumph

LONDON – Pep Guardiola promised Manchester City will bounce back in the 2024-25 season from their FA Cup final disappointment as they celebrated a fourth consecutive English Premier League title with a parade on May 26.

Defeat by local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on May 25 prevented City from becoming the first English side to complete consecutive league and Cup doubles.

But there was still a historic achievement to mark for Guardiola’s men, after becoming the first team to win four straight English top-flight titles.

Thousands of fans braved torrential rain to see their heroes travel through Manchester’s Deansgate area on open-top buses.

Neither the weather nor the anti-climax of the ceremony taking place the day after the FA Cup final defeat could dampen the spirits as flags, bananas and even a blow-up Jack Grealish dummy were held aloft in triumph.

However, the number was substantially down on 2023’s parade to celebrate a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.

“We will be back next season,” Guardiola said. “The FA Cup, we will take it.”

City have won six of the last seven Premier League titles under Guardiola, who has just one year remaining on his contract.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss laughed off a plea to “stay forever” in Manchester but has committed to at least see out his deal next season.

“Even myself, I couldn’t expect to stay here eight years but everything goes well,” added Guardiola.

“Step by step we are here. It looks routine but it’s not routine.”

Phil Foden won the Football Writers’ Player of the Year award for his stellar season, which included 27 goals in all competitions.

Despite City hoovering up trophies during Guardiola’s reign, the England international insists the hunger remains to keep winning.

“Obviously (four in a row) is something nobody else has done before. It’s an unbelievable feeling,” the 23-year-old said.

“There is a hunger inside me to win trophies and the other players want to win as well. We’re delighted with this season but next season we want to go again and win more.”

City’s ambition to keep winning trophies, and the disappointment of losing the FA Cup, was also echoed by Portugal international Bernardo Silva.

“Obviously last night was frustrating but we have to forget that and celebrate four in a row. It’s been a very good season for us,” he said.

City sealed the Premier League title on May 19 with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United.

Players were then captured out celebrating until the early hours of May 20 morning, but captain Kyle Walker was adamant that played no role in an uncharacteristically poor display against United at Wembley.

City trailed 2-0 at half-time to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo and a second-half fightback was too little, too late despite Jeremy Doku pulling a goal back.

“We celebrated on Sunday, this was Saturday. It’s six days. If us athletes can’t recover in six days, there’s no chance for anyone,” said Walker.

“The moment was right. The club, the players and staff made that decision. Let’s not blame that.”

Meanwhile, United’s players have pledged to “achieve great things” in future, as boss Erik ten Hag waits to discover if he will be sacked.

Ten Hag went into the final rocked by reports that he would be dismissed regardless of the result.

United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his lieutenants have reportedly sounded out several potential candidates to replace ten Hag after the club’s worst Premier League finish of eighth. The club are set to conduct a review of the season before deciding his fate.

On May 26, the 28-man first team squad published a letter – also signed by ten Hag – on the club website, admitting this season has “not been good enough” as they aim to build on their unexpected Wembley triumph.

Going public with his support for ten Hag, United centre-back Jonny Evans said: “I’ve only got really good things to say about him.

“Over the last month, he has shown incredible tactical flexibility. Sitting off and counter-attacking is not the style he sees himself coaching but he has recognised the right time to do it and has done it.” AFP, REUTERS