Pep hails ‘legends’ after title win
London, May 23: Pep Guardiola described his Manchester City players as “legends” after they staged an incredible fightback to win the Premier League, with fans preparing to line the streets on Monday to hail their heroes.
City sealed their fourth title in five seasons in breathless fashion on Sunday, scoring three goals in five minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit late in the second half against Aston Villa and break the hearts of Liverpool fans.
The dramatic scenes at a rocking Etihad Stadium came 10 years after Sergio Aguero sealed the title in a similarly nerve-shredding 3-2 final-day win.
City, who for so long lived in the shadow of neighbours Manchester United, are now establishing their own dynasty to match the achievements of previous great United and Liverpool teams.
“In the last five years winning four Premier Leagues, these guys are legends already,” an ecstatic Guardiola said after the match on Sunday.
“I’m sorry, people have to admit it. This group of players are absolutely eternal in this club because what we achieve is so difficult to do.
“Just Sir Alex Ferguson with United has done it years ago two or three times, now I realised again the magnitude of
Guardiola also paid tribute to Liverpool, who were 14 points behind City in January, and seemingly out of the title picture before relentlessly hunting City down.
“I’ve never seen a team like Liverpool in my life,” he said. “I know it’s tough, but they helped us
become a better team season by season.”
Klopp, whose side have already won the League Cup and FA Cup this season, now faces the task of lifting his men ahead of next week’s Champions League final against Real Madrid. “I am proud but I’m disappointed of course as well,” he said. “There are maybe worse scenarios. If you would have been a point up and
don’t make it, that might feel even worse. But apart from that, it’s not cool.
“But it’s not completely unexpected obviously, it was clear before the game that a lot of things had to happen.”
Klopp was bullish as he looked forward to the game against Madrid in Paris, where Liverpool are aiming to be crowned European champions for the seventh time.