Pep Guardiola, mission accomplished.
After 7 seasons at the Etihad, Pep has taken Manchester City to the promised land.
No longer is there talk that Guardiola needs Lionel Messi to win the Champions League.
🇦🇷 “Messi is still some player but we have seen the best of him.”
🏆 “I’d like to see Guardiola win the Champions League without Messi.”
🤫 “The critics will say Pep had to get Lionel Messi to win the CL.”@MirrorDarren says Pep must prove he can win the CL without Messi. pic.twitter.com/z12C4h4SBh
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) November 20, 2020
Guardiola has now scaled club football’s Everest without Messi.
His Manchester City team embody him in every way. They play with flair, they sacrifice for each other, and every player sacrifices their game for the greater good.
No player is bigger than the team. That a squad of superstars at City are willing to sacrifice their game speaks to the greatness of Guardiola.
Joao Cancelo left in January which was a shock move at the time. Cancelo was reportedly unhappy at Manchester City.
Rather than keep an unhappy player, and risk squad harmony. Guardiola and City sanctioned the loan move for Cancelo to Bayern Munich.
The post Champions League final celebrations show just how close this Manchester City squad is. The Cancelo move to Bayern was no doubt a factor in the City squads harmony.
Next stop: Treble winners parade! 🤩#ManCity | @OfficialTfGM pic.twitter.com/Tm4dLx7HaC
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 12, 2023
A 25-match unbeaten run from February 13 until a final day 1-0 loss to Brentford in the Premier League was key in setting up Manchester City to achieve the treble.
The quality of players can make these types of unbeaten runs seem simple. But only Guardiola can mold them into such a ruthless machine.
The tactical shift of John Stones into the role of center back without the ball, and central midfield with it was a masterstroke from Pep.
It gave Manchester City more control of possession with Stones next to Rodri in midfield.
It also gave Manchester City the defensive edge required to finally conquer Europe.
This season’s Manchester City side was more resolute than previous seasons. The defensive displays in the away legs against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid emphasize this.
Another strong defensive performance from Pep’s team in the Champions League final against Inter only further highlight the fact.
Guardiola adapted from previous seasons Champions League short comings. He created a side that will go down in football history.
The City manager will go down as one the greatest managers of all time.
Centurions. Fourmidables. The Treble.
All parts of Manchester City history, and Pep Guardiola’s legacy.
Pep Guardiola. Mission accomplished.
