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Al Mubarak revealed that Guardiola had contemplated his decision to depart the club multiple times during the decade, and jested that it was so common that it had lost its meaning.
Pep Guardiola. (Picture credit: AP)
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak opened up on the dynamic former manager Pep Guardiola experienced during his fabled tenure on English shores, which came to a conclusion following the season as the Spaniard stepped down from his role at the helm of the Citizens.
Al Mubarak revealed that the Catalan tactician had contemplated his decision to depart the club multiple times during the decade, and jested that it was a recurring so common that it had lost its meaning.
“Inevitably over these last 10 years we’ve had a lot of ups and some downs, and in the downs, he must have quit 100 times over these 10 years, just so you know, just for the record,”
“There’s the story as you all know, The Boy that Cries Wolf. In the case of Pep, when he says ‘I quit’, it doesn’t mean he’s quitting. You don’t take it that seriously – you have to manage him.
“Whenever he quits or whenever he thinks it’s time, I will always convince him to come back, until the time where I know it’s actually the real time – and we reached that. I knew it and that’s why I didn’t fight it.”
Arsenal finally savoured their coronation as Premier League champions after a 22-year wait, wrapping up the formalities on the final day having already clinched the title by edging out Manchester City. The Gunners lifted the English top-flight trophy after a season in which they had mathematically secured the league before their last match.
Mikel Arteta’s side rounded off a memorable campaign with a 2-1 victory over London rivals Crystal Palace, while Pep Guardiola’s farewell to England ended in disappointment as his Manchester City team fell to a 1-2 defeat against Aston Villa.
Manchester United secured third place behind City, sealing the position with a 3-0 away win over Brighton. Michael Carrick helped steady the ship after a turbulent start to the season, and captain Bruno Fernandes made history by registering his 21st assist of the campaign, surpassing the previous record jointly held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. Fernandes’ stellar season also earned him both the Football Writers’ award and the Premier League Player of the Season honour.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and Arne Slot’s Liverpool finished fourth and fifth respectively, both securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Bournemouth and Sunderland claimed the UEFA Europa League spots with sixth and seventh-place finishes.
Brighton ended the season in eighth, earning a berth in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs despite their heavy defeat to United.
Tottenham avoided the humiliation of relegation thanks to a 1-0 win over Everton, which rendered West Ham’s 2-0 home victory against Leeds meaningless in their own bid to stay in the Premier League.
Brentford concluded their campaign in ninth after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, followed by Chelsea in 10th, the Blues slipping to that position after a 1-2 defeat to Sunderland.
Fulham’s 2-1 win over Newcastle saw them secure 11th place, finishing just ahead of the Toon Army. Everton, the Toffees, came 13th, with Leeds in 14th. Wolves and Burnley, both relegated well before the final day, ended their seasons by playing out a 1-1 draw.
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