Manchester City caretaker manager Brian Kidd has admitted that it would have been a "travesty" had his side failed to finish second in the Premier League this season.
Kidd was appointed caretaker following the sacking of Roberto Mancini on Monday and guided the Blues to a 2-0 win over Reading, which secured their finish in the top two this season.
He told the club's official website: "I would have just taken the result tonight. If you had said to me you are going to get three points and clinch second place, I'd have accepted that - the way the last 48 hours have gone. We aren't greedy and we don't have to qualify now, we're second.
"All credit to the players, they are the ones that have had to put up with stuff off the pitch as well. I'm pleased for them because it would have been a travesty if they hadn't finished second."
City finish their campaign with a home fixture against Norwich City.