The city centre will be painted sky blue this evening as Manchester City is set to celebrate their 2021-22 Premier League title.
After what had been one of the closest title races of the past few years, Manchester City yesterday pipped North West rivals Liverpool to the post during an impressive comeback in their final match of the Premier League season to successfully retain their title as the winners of English football’s top flight.
The Citizens eventually made their dream a reality by beating Aston Villa 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium after first going 2-0 down.
Two goals came from İlkay Gündoğan, and one from Rodrigo, all in the second half.
The victory yesterday was Manchester City’s sixth Premier League title in total since returning to the top flight in 2002, and the fourth Premier League title in five years won under current manager, Pep Guardiola.
But the celebrations weren’t just limited to yesterday, as Manchester City has now confirmed plans to take over the city centre this evening for an open-top bus parade and a party fit for champions.
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Here’s everything you need to know.
Open-Top Bus Parade
To show off the shiny Premier League trophy in all its glory to thousands of fans, Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City squad will set off on an hour-long open-top bus parade down the city’s main thoroughfare, before finishing at the Beetham Tower – where a live stage show will take place with the champions.
The parade bus will depart from Exchange Square near the National Football Museum at approximately 6pm, and then travel onto St Mary’s Gate.
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The route will then head south on Deansgate, and finish up near Beetham Tower at 7pm.
While fans will be able to line the streets for the full parade route, entrance to the official parade stage viewing area is only accessible via Deansgate, and not by any other entrance, with all supporters to be subject to a search before entering.
The accessible viewing platform on Great Bridgewater Street is available accessed from the same entrance, and will be available on “a first come first served basis”.
The open-top bus parade route through the city centre / Credit: Manchester City
Stage Entertainment
The open-top bus parade is only part of the party, as onstage entertainment will start at 4:30pm, with the players expected to arrive at approximately 7pm.
The parade party will be hosted by Manchester City’s City Square presenters Danny Jackson and Natalie Pike, who will be joined by former players and special guests, and, as there has been in previous years, there will also be live music from bands and DJs.
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As this is a non-ticketed event, Manchester City is suggesting that fans arrive early to get the best possible viewing experience.
There will also be screens throughout Deansgate showing all the action from the stage.
What is the Council saying?
Manchester City’s Premier League title-winning celebrations are being fully-supported and made possible with help from Manchester City Council.
Commenting on the parade, Councillor Bev Craig – Leader of Manchester City Council – said: “Winning back-to-back titles is a fantastic achievement which I’m sure City fans will be eager to celebrate, especially as the pandemic denied them the chance to do so last season.
“The Council are happy to support the parade and expect a memorable occasion as tens of thousands of fans gather in the city centre to share the moment”.
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Manchester City were crowned 2021-22 Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium yesterday / Credit: Manchester City (via Twitter)
What else do I need to know?
Manchester City and Manchester City Council have also released some top tips for people making their way to the celebrations, and for everyone else travelling in and around the city centre this evening.
This is an outdoor event and will take place come rain or shine, so it’s recommended that fans:
Check the weather forecast before leaving to attend the celebrations.
Wearing appropriate clothing for the weather.
If it’s sunny, bring sun cream, a hat, and drink lots of water.
If it’s raining, bring wet weather clothing as umbrellas are not allowed.
The weather forecast for this afternoon into the evening in Manchester city centre is predicting a combination of overcast skies and rain showers, with temperatures ranging from 12°C – 14°C.
For all travel advice – including details of bus diversions – refer to the TfGM website here.
A Manchester City fan has died after a medical incident at Manchester derby
Daisy Jackson
A Manchester City fan has tragically passed away after a medical incident at the Manchester derby yesterday.
The club has confirmed that one of the club’s supporters died after collapsing during the match against Manchester United.
They wrote: “Manchester City are aware of the tragic news that one of our supporters passed away following a medical incident at yesterday’s match.
“The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Man City and Manchester United faced off at the Etihad Stadium yesterday, with Man United eventually taking the win thanks to a 90th-minute goal by Amad Diallo.
An eyewitness told theManchester Evening News they saw the fan being administered CPR at around 4:10pm.
People have been leaving tributes to the Manchester City fan, who has not yet been named, online.
One person wrote: “RIP that city fan. No one should go to a football match and not come home again. RIP”
Another said: “An important reminder amongst all the squabbling over yesterday’s result is that the football isn’t everything. Thoughts are with his family, RIP blue.”
Someone else posted: “Rip blue. Thoughts are with your family and friends at this sad time.”
‘I am not good enough’: Pep Guardiola makes bold claim after Manchester derby defeat
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola clearly took defeat in the derby hard as he came out to make that bold claim that he is “not good enough” in his post-match interview.
Guardiola looked like he was on course to steer Man City back towards the right direction with just a few minutes to go in the 195th Manchester derby on Sunday night, with an albeit narrow 1-0 lead over local rivals United who certainly haven’t been enjoying their best season either.
However, in case you’ve been living under a rock, the Premier League champions didn’t hang on and thanks to a late penalty from captain Bruno Fernandes and an even later goal by Amad Diallo who actually won the spot-kick and was tenacious all game, the game ended 2-1.
Speaking to the media after the full-time whistle, Pep summed things up by saying simply: “We have no defence [for the recent run of results]” before adding, “I’m not good enough, I’m not doing well.”
"I'm the boss, I'm the manager and I'm not good enough."
Pep Guardiola in his post match press conference after the Manchester derby defeat 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/EUOW1Yr5Rm
As former City fullback turned Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards said after the game, Guardiola was clearly trying to take the brunt of the pressure away from the players but did insist that as the coach he is tasked with “finding the solution” and, unfortunately for the Blues, he doesn’t have one right now.
“I’m not good enough. I am the boss, the manager, I have to find solutions and so far I haven’t. That’s the reality”, Pep reiterated. “We want to play better, create chances. But at the moment it’s not possible.”
“The results are not good, the game was not exceptional. I know the situation, I understand but [this is the reality].” Not only has the Catalan coach now lost five games in a row for the first time in his career but that’s now just one win in the last 11 games for City (eight losses and two draws).
The 53-year-old also went on to argue that it cannot be “the same problems” that fans and pundits have been arguing as he has already taken steps to adjust tactics and rotate the squad but the issues are still prevailing regardless.
The absence of Rodri is one that they’ve still been unable to circumvent; even with the return of other key players from injury, they just don’t look the same team without the Ballon d’Or winner and Pep doesn’t look the same man either.
It goes without saying that as one of the most successful and multi-record-breaking football managers in history, this admittedly poor patch very much doesn’t suddenly mean that Pep ‘isn’t good enough’, though it’s hard to see how he’s going to pull them out of the mire.
As for the new United boss, Rúben Amorim, that’s two wins in his last two against the City boss and a first Manchester derby victory at the first time of asking.
The Red Devils were also in dire need of a statement win against strong opposition as they continue to try and navigate the early storms new managers often face and besides beating league leaders Liverpool, scalps don’t get much bigger than City.
You can watch all that late drama and the rest of the highlights from the Manchester derby down below:
Emily Sergeant -
23rd May 2022 
