City make more Premier League history
While Manchester City might have relinquished their maiden European crown last month, Pep Guardiola’s men have only embarked on another domestic romp this season.
Claiming a 3-1 victory at home against West Ham on the final weekend and officially getting their hands on a fourth consecutive Premier League title, the Sky Blues have achieved something no other men’s side has managed since the English league was formed in 1888.
Eventually holding off Arsenal’s charge, Man City have only further cemented their spot as the greatest club side in the Premier League era.
Flying out of the traps after opening the New Year and not suffering a single Premier League defeat since the start of December, the former Barcelona boss still has a famous double-winning campaign at the top of his agenda.
Now crowned Premier League champions in six of the previous seven campaigns, Guardiola’s men will meet bitter local rivals Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday afternoon as they look to get their hands on an eighth FA Cup title.
Unparalleled Unprecedented Unsurpassed @ManCity are the first side in English football history to win four consecutive top-flight titles. pic.twitter.com/JJiKKVGnmY
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 19, 2024
Klopp’s Anfield tenure draws to a close
Although Liverpool might have eventually fallen short in their bid to mount a genuine Premier League title charge this season, the Reds have endured an emotional campaign in the red half of Merseyside.
With Jurgen Klopp shockingly announcing back in January that he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has cemented his spot as a Liverpool icon.
Since joining the Premier League giants back in October 2015, Klopp is widely regarded as one of Anfield’s most iconic figures and has overseen a real fairytale era.
Leading Liverpool to famous Champions League success back in 2019, the German tactician oversaw the Reds claiming a first domestic title in 30 years during the 2019/20 campaign.
With Liverpool officially booking a lucrative top-four return this season, it was confirmed on Monday that ex-Feyenoord boss Arne Slot will take charge and replace Klopp at Anfield with immediate effect.
“I’m one of you now. I love you to bits.”
Jürgen Klopp delivers his farewell speech to Liverpool supporters at Anfield ️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 19, 2024
Another Old Trafford crisis
Although Manchester United might have signed off the 2023/24 campaign with back-to-back Premier League victories, it is no secret that the Reds have endured a public crisis this season.
With the pressure on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders still at a boiling point, there are large sections of the Old Trafford fanbase that are demanding a change in the dugout over the summer.
Gaining a reputation for their glaring defensive issues and breaking a string of unwanted records this season, United also remarkably failed to book any kind of European finish as they endured a nightmare campaign in the red half of Manchester.
Forced to settle for an eighth-place finish and struggling to find any kind of identity under ten Hag, United now face what is a monumental summer behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
Eventually finishing eight points adrift of booking an essential Champions League ticket, the Reds also still remain lightyears away from being considered a legitimate title contender.
| OFFICIAL: Manchester United finish the season 8th in the Premier League, making this their campaign in the league.
Their final chance to qualify for Europa League is at Wembley in one week, in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. pic.twitter.com/1rcMnVKfpK
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 19, 2024
Villa upset the establishment
Watching Newcastle spring a major upset last season as they secured an iconic top-four return, it was Aston Villa’s turn to upset the Premier League establishment this time around.
While Villa might have only appointed ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery back in October 2022, they have continued on a sensational rise and have broken a string of records this season.
Receiving a string of praise from across the continent and with many billing Emery as this year’s Manager of the Season, Villa eventually wrapped up a remarkable Champions League ticket with time to spare.
With Villa’s ambitions owners making it clear that they now want to be a regular top-four contender going forward, Emery’s men are more than deserving of a spot in Europe’s elite competition next season.
Registering 68 points from their 38 Premier League appearances this year and gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-flowing approach under Emery, Villa have certainly been one of Europe’s surprise packages.
ASTON VILLA WILL PLAY IN THE 2024/25 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! pic.twitter.com/lEJjyvkSoG
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 14, 2024
Everton & Forest suffer serious sanctions
While Manchester City might still have 115 separate allegations hanging over their head, the Premier League have made a real point of dishing out serve sanctions this season.
With it now looking almost certain that an Independent Football Regulator will be installed, England’s top-flight have been trying their upmost to show that they they can enforce their own rules.
Along with being hit with a six-point deduction back in February, Everton were also handed a further two-point sanction on April 8th following a string of serious financial breaches.
However, while Everton might be dealing with some public financial issues behind the scenes at Goodison Park, they are not the only Premier League club that have been fighting hefty legal battles.
Back in March Nottingham Forest were deducted four points after an independent commission found their losses for 2022/23 breached the threshold of £61million by £34.5million.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE Everton points deduction for breach of Premier League profitability & sustainability rules reduced from 10 points to 6 after independent panel appeal hearing into original punishment. 2nd charge appeal hearing still to come @TheAthleticFC #EFC https://t.co/k8EWYqZxfQ
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 26, 2024
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
