'I'm very proud' - Pep Guardiola claims Champions League qualification is 'like winning a title' for Man City as he hails players for 'never giving up'

City beat Fulham 2-0 on the final day of the Premier League season to confirm their third-placed finish, and qualification for the Champions League. That it was even in doubt on the last day of the campaign says something about how unusually poor this campaign has been for the club, with City ending up 13 points behind eventual champions Liverpool.

Guardiola insists he is "very proud" of his players for their achievement of returning to Europe's top table, but admits that much improvement is required if they are to challenge at the top end of the table next season.

Guardiola told reporters: "People can say 'I don't want to fight again, just to qualify for the Europa League'. We continued playing good and we were there [in position to seal Champions League qualification] and we did it. At the end we finished third, not miles away from Arsenal, but the distance to Liverpool is huge. We have to improve and hopefully we can do it."

He added: "Today, it’s a relief because qualification for the Champions League is like winning a title. It’s a fact.

“Finishing third is really nice. It’s not perfect, but we will be in Europe next season in the Champions League. So today, maybe people don’t believe it, but it’s absolutely a happy day for us.”

City have time off before they play in the Club World Cup. They will take on Wydad Casablanca, Al Ain, and Juventus in the group stages.