We will take it – Man City boss Pep Guardiola targets FA Cup success next season

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola promised to win the FA Cup next season as he and his players took to the streets to celebrate their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup final loss to rivals Manchester United, combined with the customary Manchester weather, threatened to put a dampener on City’s trophy parade along Deansgate, although thousands of fans did turn out on Sunday evening as the players marked an unprecedented run of league success.

The supporters got to see the Premier League trophy as well as the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, but the one that was missing was clearly on Guardiola’s mind after he and his players missed out on a record-breaking double-double 24 hours earlier at Wembley.

“We will be back next season,” Guardiola said. “The FA Cup, we will take it.”

This is the sixth time Guardiola has led City to the Premier League title, but with one year left on his contract speculation has quickly turned as to how much longer the Catalan might stick around, having already spent much longer in Manchester than many expected.

“Even myself, I couldn’t expect to stay here eight years but everything goes well,” he said. “Step by step we are here. It looks routine but it’s not routine.”

But when asked if he would “please stay forever”, the 53-year-old could only laugh.