PEP Guardiola wants City to feel the pressure of having to win the Champions League after completing a fifth Premier League crown in six years.
The Blues secured up their latest triumph on Saturday when Arsenal lost at Nottingham Forest, and celebrated in front of their fans and family after beating Chelsea 1-0 yesterday.
The win confirms their dominance in English football and sets up their tilt at a historic Treble, with the FA Cup final against United and Champions League final against Inter Milan to come.
Guardiola has for a long time maintained that his reign will not be defined by Europe, but in recent weeks has softened that stance to accept that City need to lift the biggest trophy in continental football to be recognised as one of the best ever.
After lifting the latest trophy, the manager said it is a conversation that has been had many times with the squad and a pressure that is necessary.
“They know it. The feeling I have is that if we win five Premier Leagues we still have the Champions League,” he said.
“We have had fun in all that period here. We cannot deny it.
“There is a part that sometimes can be unfair for the fact you have to win the Champions League to give credit or value to what you have done but you have to accept it and I think it’s good.
“For a long time, you have to win the Champions League.
“I know it will not be complete if we don’t win the Champions League. Sometimes, playing with this pressure is so nice and necessary.
“We tell each other a lot that we have to do it. But if we are not able to do it and the club continues in this way sooner or later we will do it. We have to try.”
This story is from the May 22, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 22, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Judd: I only have myself to blame!
JUDD Trump’s hopes of landing a second World Snooker Championship title were shattered by qualifier Jak Jones in a major quarter-final upset at the Crucible.
RASHFORD WILL REALISE THAT A YEAR IS A LONG TIME IN FOOTBALL
SO much can change in 12 months and Marcus Rashford is learning that the hard way - not for the first time either.
SWEEPING CHANGES MARK END OF AN ERROR...
LESS than five months ago, Patrick Stewart was introduced to journalists in the Old Trafford press room before the Chelsea game - that was the sum of our interaction with the interim United chief executive.
Blues continue to push up standards in hunt for fourth title on the bounce
IT doesn't feel like City have been quite as good this season.
JILL SCOTTCity legend Steph deserves to go out with a trophy
LIONESSES legend Jill Scott says City can give Steph Houghton the perfect send-off by sealing the Women's Super League title.
Yonder-ful deal on cards for rewarding nights out
CREDIT FIRM LINKS UP WITH CITY'S VIBRANT FOOD AND DRINK SCENE
Blinken tells Israel time right for Gaza ceasefire
US SECRETARY of State Antony Blinken is meeting Israeli leaders in his push for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, saying “the time is now” for an agreement that would free hostages and bring a suspension in the nearly seven months of war in Gaza.
Police name boy killed in sword attack
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy killed by a man who went on a rampage wielding a sword has been named locally as Daniel Anjorin.
'Ghost' drugs kingpin caught at City match
TRAFFICKER JAILED FOR 19 YEARS AFTER OFFICERS SWOOP
Reece's family 'angry' at early release of killer
'THIS IS NOT JUSTICE AT ALL - IT IS A DISGRACE'