Message from Sir Alex Ferguson revealed by Pep Guardiola ahead of Champions League final.

Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has disclosed that he received a message from Sir Alex Ferguson, a Manchester United legend, on the day before the UEFA Champions League final.

The Citizens became the second team in English football history to clinch the treble after winning their inaugural European Cup on Saturday night, overcoming Inter 1-0 in the final.

The only other side to accomplish such a feat was Ferguson's Man Utd team in 1999. They won the Premier League and FA Cup before producing two late goals in a dramatic Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

During last week's FA Cup final, Man Utd had the opportunity to spoil their noisy neighbours' treble dreams. However, they were beaten 2-1 at Wembley. Despite Ilkay Gundogan's opener, which was the fastest goal ever in an FA Cup final history, Bruno Fernandes levelled the score with a penalty. Nonetheless, Gundogan managed to seal the victory for Man City with another goal in the second half.

Although Man City wasn't at their dominant best against Inter in Istanbul, Rodri broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with a fierce shot from just inside the 18-yard box beating Andre Onana at his near post. They held off a late Nerazzurri attack to claim the win.

Guardiola confessed to the media that Ferguson had contacted him before kick-off at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, saying: "It's a privilege for me to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. I received a message from him this morning. It was touching and a nice gesture."

Ferguson was defeated twice in his only two encounters with Guardiola, with the Spaniard's Barcelona side triumphing over Man Utd in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals.

Guardiola has now won twelve major honours at Man City and two more Community Shields, making him the most successful manager in the club's history.