Pep Guardiola says Man City were already dreaming of next trophy after Carabao Cup shower

Manchester City scored their first trophy of the season by beating Aston Villa in Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Posted Wednesday, March 04, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City's serial winners locked sights on their next piece of silverware the moment they stepped out of the showers at Wembley. Victory in the Carabao Cup gave them a second piece of silverware following on from the Community Shield and a third straight league cup trophy.

But the City boss maintained that his experience has taught him the best in the business rarely dwell too long on the successes before refocussing on another target.

"I learnt in the big clubs I was at before and their history that when they win a trophy they go and take a shower and they are thinking in that moment about the next one," he said.

Guardiola's side travel to Hillsborough tonight for an FA Cup fifth round clash with Sheffield Wednesday seeking to continue a phenomenal run of form where domestic silverware is concerned.

Victory at Wembley against Aston Villa on Sunday gave them their eighth piece of domestic silverware from the last nine opportunities with two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, three League Cup trophies and two Community Shields.

Guardiola maintained the current side were building on the work of others.

Pep Guardiola says Man City were already dreaming of next trophy after Carabao Cup shower
Pep Guardiola believes his squad are hungry for trophies (Image: GETTY)

"It started more than a decade ago and a lot of were people working here. The most important thing was the league when Roberto Mancini was here, it changed the mentality of the club."

"The first one is always the most difficult one and Roberto Mancini and his people and players did it (winning the 2011 FA Cup), then other people came after them and continued the process.

"It is so nice what we have done in the League Cup in the last three years but in this game we have another final, away in the FA Cup is always difficult because of how important this competition is for the clubs in this country.

"But we can go through to the quarter-finals and that is what we have to do."

As if to emphasise the transitional nature of City's success teenager Phil Foden played a huge role in bringing City their third Carabao Cup title.

And with Foden set to start back to back games tonight Guardiola joined a chorus of supporters of the player suggesting the sky is the limit for the Stockport-born star.

"Of course I'm delighted about his performance and his behaviour in good moments and bad moments, just thinking work and work and it always pays off," said Guardiola.

"With his behaviour though he can achieve whatever he wants."

Tonight's game will, however, come too soon in the rehabilitation of Leroy Sane despite the forward returning unscathed from serious knee injury with an hour for the U23s last Friday.

"He is not ready. After six months out, he needs a process," said City's boss.

"Tomorrow is a final and an incredibly important game for us. So maybe it will be easier to play in the Premier League than this Cup competition we need to win."

Claudio Bravo will retain the gloves after his late save secured the Carabao Cup while Guardiola confirmed Sergio Aguero is fit enough to play a part if needed.