Man City's FA Cup triumph shows the rewards of patience under Guardiola

LONDON, May 16 : Pep Guardiola's 15th major title as Manchester City coach, delivered with Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup win over Chelsea, underscores the virtue of long-term stability at the club that the defeated Londoners can only dream of emulating.

Guardiola has now won the FA Cup three times since arriving in Manchester 10 years ago on top of six Premier League titles, five League Cups and one Champions League trophy.

Although the former Barcelona great's days at City might be coming to an end, the Spaniard could add to that glittering array of silverware this month if Premier League leaders Arsenal stumble in the last two games of the season.

City's players were quick to heap praise on 55-year-old Guardiola - the longest-serving current Premier League manager with the same club - after Saturday's win.

The game was settled by a deft, back-heeled goal from City's Ghana international forward Antoine Semenyo in the 72nd minute after a cross by Erling Haaland.

Captain Bernardo Silva, who is due to leave City at the end of the season, said he owed the Catalan coach a lot of the credit for the success of his career.

"He changed the way I see football. Eighty percent of my career was with him as my manager," the Portugal playmaker said. "All the things I hoped to achieve were with him."

Defender John Stones, who is also leaving City this month, said the standards set by Guardiola were unique among coaches.

"That winning mentality is nothing like I've ever seen," England defender Stones told TNT television.

CITY'S PATIENCE PAYS OFF

Guardiola himself pointed to the patience of City's top officials in sticking with him during leaner periods which contrasted with quick decisions by other clubs to fire their managers after a dip in form.

"One of