Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola won the LMA Manager of the Year award as he goes in search of an historic treble this season and Sir Alex Ferguson joked that it felt ‘sore’ to hand over the award named after him to the Sky Blues’ manager.
The Man City boss – who has dominated the Premier League in recent years and could emulate the United legend even further by winning an historic Treble in the coming weeks – was most deservedly crowned the LMA Manager of the Year for the third time earlier this week, in the wake of winning his third successive top-flight title.
The Etihad club could take another step closer when they face crosstown rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final this weekend before they face up with Inter Milan in the Champions League final a week later. Should they secure both wins, Guardiola would match a rare feat only Ferguson has managed to achieve with an English club.
To make it tougher for United fans to swallow, the LMA award Guardiola picked up this week had been named after Ferguson in commemoration of his achievements at Old Trafford.
Announcing Guardiola as the winner, the United doyen said: “Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola. It’s sore isn’t it, it’s really sore. But well deserved.
“He’s created a team that’s improved every year. Winning three championships in a row tells you the story. I think their performances in the latter part when it really means something, they produced top class performances.”
Speaking after receiving the award, Guardiola lauded praise on his fellow nominees and took a most humble stance.
“First of all, I want to share it with my fellow nominees. They have all done an incredible job this season. This trophy is not normally awarded for how good a manager you are, but for what you win.
“I am at an incredible football club and without all of the support that I have had throughout my time here, this would not have been possible. Of course, I also want to thank all of the players for the incredible job that they have done to help us this season.”