Pep Guardiola set to receive Freedom of Manchester honour alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Ariana Grande

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is the next in line to receive the Freedom of Manchester honour from the city council, it has been confirmed.

The Catalan coach exceeded all previous achievements with the reigning Premier League champions by successfully guiding his side to a historic treble of silverware last season, whilst also winning the English top-flight for a third successive season.

That honour was then added to by a second FA Cup trophy at the Etihad Stadium, courtesy of a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Manchester United at Wembley, before then securing the elusive Champions League trophy in Istanbul after a 1-0 win over Inter.

Now, in recognition of Manchester City’s historic treble success, it has been confirmed that Pep Guardiola will be the next recipient of the Freedom of the City award from Manchester city council.

As reported by I Love Manchester, the decision to grant Pep Guardiola the Freedom of the City was made by council officials, who had promised to do so if Manchester City replicated the Treble triumph achieved by Manchester United back in 1999.

The council are now awaiting Pep Guardiola’s acceptance of the honour, with further announcements regarding the date of a special meeting to be made once Guardiola’s acceptance is confirmed.

Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig exclaimed, “Freedom of the City is a great honour – for people that have contributed to city life and the city’s reputation.

“Manchester awarded Sir Alex Ferguson Freedom of the City in 1999, and the council was clear that if Manchester City and Pep Guardiola would receive the same honour when they won the historic Treble.

“The council have been in private discussions around making this happen as per our normal protocols, and will be making further announcements soon about the date of a special meeting, should the honour be accepted.

“This is something that is outside of party politics, and a way to recognise the contribution of Pep and his team after a fantastic season and recognise the impact on Manchester off the pitch.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Ancoats and Beswick – of which includes the Etihad Stadium – Chris Northwood further stated, “Our city’s football heritage has no parallel in the world.

“No matter your allegiance, the momentous success of Manchester City means that two of our city’ss clubs have now won the Treble.

“I’m pleased to see, drawing a parallel with how football brings communities together, we’re able to work together with all parties to make this unified call from the whole council to award this honour to Pep Guardiola.”

Freemen of the City of Manchester include the likes of Sir Robert Charlton CBE, and Sir Alexander Ferguson CBE, whilst American singer Ariana Grande became the first honorary citizen of Manchester, after a unanimous vote by the Manchester City Council.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are expected to reunite ahead of their pre-season tour of the far-east in the coming days, with the treble winners taking on a trio of fixtures in Japan and South Korea, before the Community Shield against Arsenal in early August.

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