Wenger Issues Transfer Warning to Guardiola and Manchester City After Winning Treble

Wenger Issues Transfer Warning to Guardiola and Manchester City After Winning Treble

Elijah Odetokun
updated at June 12, 2023 at 3:57 PM
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  • Manchester City won the UEFA Champions League this weekend to complete their maiden treble
  • Pep Guardiola can finally breathe a sigh of relief after winning City’s first-ever Champions League
  • Legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told Guardiola what he must do next despite winning

Manchester City have been warned not to rest on their laurels after winning their first UEFA Champions League trophy to complete the elusive treble.

City reached their second-ever final and took it a step further by beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, after losing their first final to Chelsea two years ago.

Spanish midfielder, Rodri made the difference in the second half with a well-taken shot from inside the box that beat two Inter defenders and goalkeeper, Andre Onana.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey.
Pep Guardiola lifts the Champions League trophy after Man City beat Inter Milan. Photo by Craig Mercer.
Source: Getty Images

It was Pep Guardiola’s second treble.

He won the first cup triple in his inaugural season as Barcelona manager in 2008/09, which became part of a sextuple-winning season for the Catalans.

Wenger issues warning to Guardiola

Legendary former Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger is critical even in celebrations of City’s achievements and has sent a warning to Guardiola on what to do next to keep the team afloat.

“What do you do now at City? Do you go for a new challenge? Motivate yourself for a new challenge? Or do you stay, take advantage of the credit and continue to develop this team?” he said, via Mirror UK.

The Gunners legend believes it is certain the club will also lose important players in short order.

“This team is not an old team but there are no young players. Apart from Haaland, who is 22 now, all the others are between 24 and 32 years old. So two or three new players will need to change. They have to find the same quality again.”

Wenger’s advice is something the former Barcelona boss is already a master at. He has the ability to move players on before they degenerate totally in the team.

According to The Sun, City are planning a summer overhaul which includes Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Kalvin Philips, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez.

Ferguson sends message to Guardiola

Sports Brief also reported on Sir Alex Ferguson sending a message to Guardiola ahead of the final, which saw City become the second English club to win the treble after the Scot’s 1998/99 squad.

The Citizens also won their third consecutive Premier League title this season, matching another of Fergie’s records, which he achieved twice during his 27 years at the helm of Manchester United.

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Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.
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