Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has heaped praise onto his players following their league and Kings Cup double.

In what was his debut season as manager Guardiola lifted the clubs first domestic double since 1998 and their first trophy in two years.

However, the former Barca defender shrugged off any personal acclaim saying "With other players I would not be a champion, but they certainly would be with another coach.

Speaking to reporters after Barca had lost 2-1 to Real Mallrca he said "I appreciate the praise, but it is the talent of the players and their humility to work hard that has taken us this far.

"I have to pay tribute to them and I would also like to congratulate Real Madrid for bringing out the best in us," he said. "In the second half of the season they gave us a lesson in how you should always carry on looking forward."

Guardiola won six league titles as a Barca player but this was his first as a manager and he acknowledged the achievement felt strange. "It is similar feeling, but now there is this fictitious authority where it seems you give the orders, but don't carry them out".

His players were not so bashful when asked about the role the manager played in bringing success back to the Camp Nou, striker Samuel Eto'o saying "Guardiola is just what we needed after two difficult years. "He has helped us to discover what was missing."

Barcelona now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United in Rome later this month, where United themselves will be looking to add European glory to their own domestic success.