Traveling to Vitality Stadium on the evening of 19/5, Manchester City needed a win to close the gap on Arsenal to two points and extend the title race to the final matchday. However, the Manchester club struggled to a 1-1 draw, with Erling Haaland scoring an equalizer in the fourth minute of added time. This result leaves Manchester City with 78 points, 4 points behind Arsenal with one matchday remaining, ending their championship hopes.

After the match, Guardiola congratulated Arsenal and his former assistant Mikel Arteta. "They played an extraordinary season", he said. "On behalf of Manchester City, I extend my congratulations to Arsenal's coaching staff, players, and fans. They completely deserve it".

Coach Pep Guardiola applauds fans after Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on matchday 37 of the Premier League at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, United Kingdom, on 19/5. *Photo: Man City*

The Spanish coach also emphasized that this was a challenging season for Manchester City, with many key players injured and factors beyond their control. He affirmed his players fought until the end, despite not being able to win the championship. "We always tried and never gave up. I wish we could have taken the race to the final moments, but unfortunately, we couldn't", Guardiola added.

The 55-year-old coach stated that Manchester City had played well at many points since January but could not maintain the necessary advantage to contend for the title. He also acknowledged Bournemouth as a formidable opponent, currently on an impressive run, and said Manchester City would learn from this season to prepare better for the next.

According to English media reports, Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the season. This would mean the match against Aston Villa on matchday 38 of the Premier League at Etihad Stadium would be the Spanish coach's last, concluding 10 illustrious seasons. However, Guardiola declined to confirm this information.

"I still have one year left on my contract. I will speak with the chairman at the end of the season", he stated. "I am the happiest person in the world to be at this special club. When the season concludes, we will sit down and make a decision".

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland urged the entire team to transform the disappointment of losing the Premier League championship into motivation for next season. "Every match in the Premier League is very difficult. We tried, but it wasn't enough", the Norwegian striker said. "The entire club should see this as motivation now. We should be angry, we should feel that fire inside because this wasn't good enough. It has been two years without a championship, it feels like a very long time. We will do everything we can, all of us who will remain next season, to win the championship back".

Hong Duy (via Mancity.com)