Rio Ferdinand praises the City manager as a game-changer following their championship victory.

Rio Ferdinand, the renowned sports expert and former Manchester United defender, has heaped praise on Pep Guardiola, hailing him as the “difference maker” at Manchester City.

Ferdinand revealed that Guardiola was determined to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title and surpass the achievements of Manchester United. Guardiola’s ambition to win four in a row was evident even before the season started, as Ferdinand disclosed their conversations. The City manager would jokingly message Ferdinand about overtaking Manchester United if they were to achieve this feat. Ferdinand emphasized Guardiola’s hunger and desire to surpass their arch-rivals.

According to Ferdinand, Guardiola’s genius sets him apart from others in the squad and the club. He commended Guardiola’s tactical acumen and his ability to constantly evolve and bring something new to the table. Ferdinand also highlighted the club’s recruitment strategy, which allows them to seamlessly replace key players like Riyad Mahrez with talents such as Jeremy Doku.

Manchester City finished the 2023/24 campaign with 91 points, just two ahead of Arsenal, who also won on the final day. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club’s potential punishment for alleged financial irregularities, Ferdinand believes Guardiola and the players deserve immense credit for their fourth consecutive title.

Ferdinand emphasized the difficulty of achieving such a feat, highlighting the relentless pursuit of elite performance and the daily pressure faced by the players. He expressed admiration for the consistency and fantastic performances displayed by the City squad.

Arsenal, under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, pushed City to their limits in the title race. Former Gunners defender Martin Keown acknowledged the impact of Arteta and praised his team for challenging City. Keown suggested that Guardiola recognizes Arteta’s abilities, having worked with him as an assistant manager, and expects him to continue pushing Arsenal to compete with City.

Keown also hailed Guardiola as the “all-time great” and credited him for revolutionizing the game. He highlighted Guardiola’s ability to constantly evolve and stay ahead of the competition, emphasizing his incredible drive and determination.

In conclusion, both Ferdinand and Keown have recognized Guardiola’s exceptional qualities as a manager and the remarkable achievements of Manchester City in winning four consecutive Premier League titles.