LONDON — Jubilant Manchester City fans were in dreamland, a heaven with lots of singing and more than a few drinks, after their side finally lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in Istanbul.
City’s first Champions League title completed a Premier League/FA Cup/Champions League treble only previously achieved in England by rivals Manchester United.
Manager Pep Guardiola and his players will show off all three trophies on an open-top bus parade around Manchester on Monday evening, ending with a stage show on the main Princess Street.
There will be plenty of sore heads by then.
Fans poured out onto the streets with flags and beers while raucous chants of ‘City, City’ and ‘Champions of Europe, we know what we are” echoed around Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre.
“I’ve been following City through all those tough difficult years and this is a dream, it’s paradise, it feels like heaven on earth,” declared 62-year-old Andrew Heydeman as the celebrations began.
“I feel amazing. I´m feeling amazing. Manchester City is a proper Manc (relating to Manchester) side and I love them to bits,” said Rob Cookson, 45, speaking after a match screening for fans organised by the club at the Depot Mayfield venue.
“I was there when Manchester City was in the second division and they’ve just won the Champions League and that is absolutely incredible.”
City beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Ataturk stadium with players sprinting across the pitch in a joyful explosion at the final whistle.
“We’ve been working so long for this and to be part of the history for the club and for everything that we did as a team, I think we fully deserve it,” said playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who went off injured in the first half.
“It wasn’t the best game but finals are always difficult and now is the time to celebrate.”
Pep Guardiola believes City has earned a place among the greats after finally winning the Champions League.
City completed the treble on a glorious night in Istanbul on Saturday as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in a hard-fought final with a 68th-minute Rodri strike.
City has dominated the domestic scene under Guardiola, winning five Premier League titles in six years as well as two FA Cups and four Carabao Cups, but European success had eluded them.
“You have to win in Europe to be considered a great team and we did it,” said Guardiola in his post-match press conference at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
The challenge now for City will be to build on their triumph and establish a dynasty in European football.
Guardiola said: “I don’t want to disappear after one Champions League. We have to work hard next season and be there.
“There are teams who win the Champions League and disappear. We have to avoid that.
“Knowing me it is not going to happen but it is a big relief to have this trophy.”
Guardiola paid tribute to Inter for their dogged performance and to the City hierarchy for keeping faith in him after years of near misses in the competition.
“For Inter, I must congratulate them for their performance,” he said. “I know what they feel because we felt it two years ago.
“There are no words that can handle the pain but they are the second best team in Europe and that is incredible.
“The second word is for my sporting director, CEO and chairman. Normally when you don’t win the Champions League after so many years you are sacked. How many clubs destroy the project?
“It looks like this competition this year was in the stars.
“Now is time to celebrate. I am looking forward to Monday in Manchester on our (open-top bus) with three trophies.”
City has become only the second English team, after Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 1999, to have won the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the same season.
Guardiola said: “It is an honour from me to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. I got a message from him this morning and it is an honour.”
Match-winner Rodri was thrilled by the achievement.
The midfielder told BT Sport: “I’m emotional. This is a dream come true.
“It wasn’t easy. What a team we faced – unbelievable they way they defended, the way they counter-attacked. They deserve credit because they are a great team but I don’t want to forget about my lads. We did everything.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi felt his team could hold their heads high.
Inzaghi said: “We do have regrets because defeat is the worst thing in sport but at the same time, I have to congratulate my lads.
“They are very sad, disappointed, but they must be proud of their campaign and the final they played. We didn’t deserve to lose but we played against a top team.
“Manchester City deserves the Champions League considering what they have done in the past years.
