‘Like a title’ – Pep Guardiola plays up Champions League qualification for Manchester City

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City qualifying for the Champions League next season feels “like a title”.

The former Premier League winners rounded off their campaign with a 2-0 win at Fulham on the final day, securing a third-placed finish in the process.

And while there was no silverware for the club, Guardiola was still delighted with his side’s resilience in a difficult campaign.

Speaking after the match, he said: “It’s like a title, [because of] the obstacles. When you continue [a run of poor form] you finish 10th, 11th, 12th or 13th.

This is the destiny of all the teams in the Premier League when they are in November, December or January and you cannot fight for the Premier League, like you have done for many years.

“People can say ‘I don’t want to fight again, just to qualify for the Europa League’. We continued playing good and we were there [in position to seal Champions League qualification] and we did it. At the end we finished third, not miles away from Arsenal, but the distance to Liverpool is huge. We have to improve and hopefully we can do it.”

PEP 💬 We never gave up. It’s tough, especially the players even in the incredible difficulties were there, and finishing third is nice.

It’s not perfect but we’ll be in Europe next season in the Champions League. Today, people maybe don’t believe me but it’s a happy day for all… pic.twitter.com/NAQvWsR4Lt

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 25, 2025

While striker Erling Haaland would not go as far as to describe it as being like a title, he also played up the importance of being in the Champions League next term.

He added: “This club has to play in the Champions League, I have to play in the Champions League, Pep has to manage the team in the Champions League, so it’s important and we’re relieved now to be there because it’s been a hard and difficult season. We’re really happy.

“We came back after a really difficult period and we’ve been working through it together. It’s not been easy but we’ve shown great character. In the end we’ve come third and we’re relieved, we’re really happy. We’re focused on going into the Club World Cup in good shape and to attack that.

“I mean, you cannot win it every year. No-one ever won it four years in a row. Now we came third, but City have won [the league in] six out of eight years. If I was a City fan – which I am – I’m not complaining. I wish we won it this year as well but you cannot win every year. Next year we’re going to do everything we can to make it a much better season.”

Adblock test (Why?)