Guardiola gives his staff £10,000 thank you bonus

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given a £10,000 bonus to each member of his first-team support staff as a gesture of appreciation for their work last season.

The gift was received by all City staff who work in the first-team building at the City Football Academy within the Etihad Campus.

Sources say the money came directly from Guardiola, with the overall total outlay in excess of £500,000.

It is understood to include kit men, security staff and physios.

The City boss often uses his pre-match news conferences to highlight the wider contribution beyond himself and his immediate coaches in delivering a squad that consistently hits such high standards.

Last season, City became the first team in English football to win the league title in four consecutive seasons. They also reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the seventh successive season.

They have also reached at least the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the past five years.