Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that qualifying for the Champions League is equivalent to winning a trophy following his team's 2-0 victory over Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season.

City, who relinquished their Premier League crown this season, secured a third-place finish thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola expressed pride in his players while acknowledging the need for improvement next season.

"Today, it's a relief because qualification for the Champions League is like winning a title. It's a fact," Guardiola told reporters.

"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."

The Spanish tactician's comments reflect the challenging season Manchester City has experienced after dominating English football in recent years. Despite falling short of their usual standards, securing Champions League football represents a significant achievement in what has been a transitional period for the club.

City's third-place finish ensures they will compete in Europe's premier club competition next season, maintaining their streak of Champions League appearances under Guardiola's management.

The victory over Fulham concluded what has been a disappointing campaign by City's lofty standards, with Guardiola clearly indicating that significant improvements will be necessary if they are to reclaim their position at the summit of English football next season.