Rio Ferdinand sends Pep Guardiola message ahead of Liverpool FC final day title battle

Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has said Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City dynasty will not be damaged by the absence of a Champions League win.

The Catalan coach is on the brink of securing his fourth Premier League crown with the Etihad outfit, with a win over Aston Villa on Sunday seeing them to the trophy. Success will also mean he has won ten domestic league titles as a coach after winning La Liga and the Bundesliga three times apiece with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, respectively.

During his time in Manchester, Guardiola has also picked up an FA Cup, four League Cups, and two Community Shields. But the one trophy that has eluded him is the Champions League.

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City lost to Chelsea in the final of last year’s competition before a late comeback saw them stunned by Real Madrid in this season’s semi-finals. Those defeats will have stung, but Ferdinand does not believe Guardiola's tenure at City will not be defined by failing to win Europe’s elite competition.

Speaking on the FIVE YouTube show, he said: “Three Prems he’s won. The geezer has come here and dominated the domestic league - absolutely dominated England.

“There’s no two ways about it. He’s took the levels in terms of points amassed over the last three seasons especially to a new level, alongside Jurgen Klopp.

“ Pep Guardiola cannot be doubted, the amount of trophies he has won in this country. He has dominated.”

He added: “I don’t think Pep will be defined by winning the Champions League. He’s won it already (with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011) - what’s the problem? You can’t put a side-eye on Guardiola just because he hasn't won the Champions League