Manchester City Clinches Champions League Spot After Challenging Season

Manchester City secured a third-place finish in the Premier League after a 2-0 win over Fulham, guaranteeing Champions League qualification for the next season, which Pep Guardiola described as feeling "like a title" due to the obstacles the team faced during a difficult campaign. Despite injuries and a mid-season rough patch, City ended the season unbeaten in their last 10 games, marking their best run without defeat to close the 2024-25 campaign. Guardiola acknowledged that finishing outside the top two was rare in his managerial career but expressed pride in the team's resilience and emphasized the need for improvement next season. Striker Erling Haaland highlighted the importance of Champions League football for the club and the team’s character in overcoming challenges. Guardiola also hinted at some squad changes in the upcoming season while dismissing speculation around player Jack Grealish's future, emphasizing that squad size management was the reason for his absence in the final game. Overall, the qualification for the Champions League is seen as a significant achievement considering the season's adversity and the competitive nature of the Premier League.