Champions League finalists Manchester City “drank all the alcohol in Manchester” after Premier League title win

Who said soccer players have no social life anymore? In the aftermath of his team’s 1-1 draw against Brighton on Thursday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola revealed that the Champions League final against Inter was still far from their minds after they clinched the Premier League title after their win over Chelsea last weekend.

The Sky Blues actually secured the trophy thanks to Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest 24 hours before the victory over the Blues but the fixture schedule forced them to wait a little before cracking open the champagne…and other alcoholic beverages, it seems.

Guardiola: “When you win the Premier League, you have to celebrate”

While Guardiola explained that his role in the celebrations last Sunday were low-key, the same – supposedly – cannot be said for his players, who had won 12 Premier League in a row to catch and then overtake the Gunners at the top of the table, ultimately winning the title with three matches to spare.

“At 10.30pm, I was in bed with my wife,” the former Barcelona boss said. “I was exhausted. I watched (highlights programme) Match of the Day and then I slept like a baby. But I know the players did what they have to do. When you win the Premier League you have to celebrate. They did it with the families, they enjoy a lot.

“The next morning, it was just sauna time. And the day after – yesterday (Tuesday) – we talked a little bit in the afternoon: ‘Guys you have to be ready, energy, for Brighton.’ And they did it.

“I was a little bit worried about how much we [would] drop [from] what we had done over the last four, five, six months… 40 hours ago we drank all the alcohol in Manchester. But the team was there and that’s why I am very pleased. Because I don’t want the team to drop before the FA Cup and Champions League finals. We showed why we are the best team in England. I’m very pleased with the way we still are as a team after being champion.”

Manchester City’s treble quest

City’s presence in those finals mentioned by Guardiola means they have the chance to emulate neighbours Manchester United, who remain the only English club to win a continental treble (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League) in 1998-99. As fate would have it, it’s in the Red Devils’ hands to preserve that status as it is they that City will face in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 3 June.

The Champions League final against Inter follows seven days later and, should Guardiola’s side record two more victories in those matches, they may well also end up drinking all the alcohol in Istanbul.