Legendary Pep Guardiola wants more after historic treble

Pep Guardiola makes history with Manchester City's Champions League triumph, aims for sustained success. Reflections on his legacy and aspirations.

Pep Guardiola walks to the trophy after Rodri's goal secured the champions league title for Manchester City on Saturday at Istanbul. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

"If you sleep a little, we’re going to catch you," said Pep Guardiola to Real Madrid after winning the Champions League in Istanbul on Saturday.

It’s a tongue-in-cheek statement, but Real Madrid would know that if Pep Guardiola spends twenty more years at Manchester City, he has a fair chance to catch Real Madrid’s Champions League record considering how they say "the first is the hardest".

After trying for six seasons without success, including losing to Chelsea at the Estadio De Dragao in Portugal two seasons ago, Pep Guardiola finally wins the Champions League without a certain Lionel Messi, and it’s worth noting that it’s historic.

Guardiola becomes the first manager in history to win the treble on separate occasions, having done so in 2011 with Barcelona and now with Manchester City. 

His record speaks volumes about who he is in the game, and he’s well within his rights to be referred to as a legend.

"First of all, my first words are for Inter, to congratulate them for their performance," Guardiola told a news conference.

"The second thing is for my sports director, CEO, and chairman. Normally, when you don't win the Champions League after so many years, you are sacked.

"One of the main reasons why this club became where it is is because of the people from Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mansour [Bin Zayed Al Nahyan] took over the club, and without that, we wouldn't be here. They are the most important people.

"They support me unconditionally in my defeats in this competition. In many clubs, that would happen, and you would be sacked, so I give incredible credit to my hierarchy and to my CEO."

"Inter are really good. Be patient, I said at halftime. You have to be lucky. This competition is a coin toss," Guardiola said.

"It was written in the stars. It belongs to us."

Guardiola couldn’t hide his excitement, and he wants more. 

He was quick to appreciate the words of the only other manager to have achieved the treble in England, Sir Alex Ferguson, as the former Manchester United gaffer reached out to the Spaniard earlier on Saturday.

"I don't want the Champions League to disappear after one season," he added.

"We have to work hard next season and be there. There are teams that win the Champions League and disappear. We have to avoid it. Knowing me, it is not going to happen, but it is a big relief to have this trophy. Now we don't get asked about it."