Manchester City man ‘in discussion’ to become the 80th recipient of prestigious award dating back to 1888 | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remains in talks to become the 80th person to be awarded the Freeman of Manchester.

The 53-year-old concluded his latest campaign with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium by clinching a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title, as Guardiola won his 17th major trophy since arriving in east Manchester in 2016.

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss lifted a sixth Premier League title in seven years last month, with the Catalan having also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during the recent 2023/24 season.

Manchester City’s latest silverware success came following an historic 2022/23 campaign, whereby the Sky Blues became the first side since Manchester United in 1999 to win the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

Guardiola guided the Blues to a landmark treble, winning a maiden Champions League alongside success in the Premier League and FA Cup.

Manchester City beat Manchester United in the 2023 FA Cup Final 2-1, prior to an historic victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul to win a first Champions League, with Rodri scoring the winning goal at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Turkey.

Manchester council took steps to reward Manchester City and Guardiola for their triumph last year, announcing plans to honour the 53-year-old manager with the prestigious Freeman of Manchester.

Only 79 people have been recipients of the Freeman of Manchester since 1888, with Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Matt Busby, Clement Atlee and Winston Churchil amongst those to previously receive the honour.

The Manchester Evening News report via outlet I Love Manchester, that the council ‘remain in discussion’ with Manchester City about when Guardiola will formally receive the award, with ‘no urgency’ for the Catalan boss to accept it.

Guardiola could potentially be entering his final season in east Manchester, with the 53-year-old out of contract at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the next campaign in 2025.