Opinion
Anyone in their right mind would agree that Pep Guardiola is one of the best football managers of this century, if not the best.
His exploits are well known across the footballing fraternity. The man conquered three leagues before it was made famous. Does Cristiano Ronaldo ring any bells?
Guardiola has won 31 trophies as a manager in 16 seasons and 740 games, which means he has won silverware once every 24 matches.
If these numbers seem maddening, then here is a reminder that he could be lifting his 32nd trophy in a week’s time, as City eye their first ever Champions League title.
(Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Team triumphs aside, here’s how Guardiola has fared against some of the best football managers of recent times.
TM – total matches, W – matches won by Guardiola, L – matches lost by Guardiola, D – draw, GF – goals for Guardiola’s team, GA – goals against Guardiola’s team.
1. Jurgen Klopp
This is the biggest managerial battle of recent times. Unsurprisingly, Klopp is the man who is neck and neck with Guardiola in the head-to-head battle. The German has contested seven finals or knockout ties against the Spaniard and has beaten him on five occasions. However, in terms of league fixtures, Guardiola comes out on top.
TM – 21, W – 9, D – 7, L – 9, GF – 39, GA – 35
Memorable fixtures: City 4, Liverpool 1 (2020-21), City 4, Liverpool 0 (2019-20), Liverpool 4, City 3 (2017-18), City 5, Liverpool 0 (2017-18), Dortmund 4, Bayern 2 (2013-14).
2. Jose Mourinho
The special one has tussled with Guardiola the most. All of their games have been mouthwatering battles. Fun fact: Mourinho is the only coach who has inflicted defeat on Guardiola in a major final.
TM – 25, W – 12, D – 6, L – 7, GF – 45, GA – 33
Memorable fixtures : Barcelona 5, Madrid 0 (2010-11), City 3, Spurs 0 (2020-21), City 3, United 1 (2018-19), City 2, United 3 (2017-18), Barcelona 3, Madrid 2 (2011-12)
(Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
3. Mauricio Pochettino
The Argentinian hailed Guardiola as the best coach in the world before PSG’s semi-final fixture against Man City and few would disagree with him.
TM – 20, W – 12, D – 5 L – 3, GF – 38, GA – 19
Memorable fixtures: City 4, PSG 1 (aggregate, 2020-21), City 4, Spurs 3 (2018-19), City 4, Spurs 1 (2017-18), Barcelona 5, Espanyol 1 (2010-11)
4. Arsene Wenger
Funnily, Wenger’s three wins against Guardiola from 14 games make him the only manager to defeat all of Guardiola’s sides.
TM – 14, W – 8, D – 3, L – 3, GF – 32, GA – 16
Memorable fixtures: Barcelona 4, Arsenal 1 (2009-10), Bayern 5, Arsenal 1 (2015-16), City 3, Arsenal 0 (2017-18)
5. Thomas Tuchel
Before his stint at Chelsea, Tuchel had never won against Guardiola. But the most important battle between the two is yet to come as we await the all-English Champions League final. Will Guardiola finally get the best out of Tuchel’s men in England?
TM – 7, W – 4, D – 1, L – 2, GF – 16, GA – 8
Memorable fixtures: Bayern 5, Dortmund 1 (2015-16), Bayern 4, Mainz 1 (2013-14)
(Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
6. Maurizio Sarri
It has been a one-sided affair against Sarri’s sides for Guardiola’s men. Who can forget the time Sarri refused to shake Guardiola’s hand after the 6-0 demolition of Chelsea?
TM – 6, W – 5, D – 0, L – 1, GF – 18, GA – 8
Memorable fixtures: City 6, Chelsea 0 (2018-19), Napoli 2, City 4 (2017-18)
7. Massimiliano Allegri
The Italian has never won against Guardiola’s teams. If this isn’t total domination, I don’t know what is.
TM – 6, W – 3, D – 3, L – 0, GF – 14, GA – 9
Memorable fixtures: Bayern 4, Juventus 2 (2015-16), Barcelona 3, Milan 1 (2011-12)
8. Carlo Ancelotti
Both men have the utmost respect for each other. Guardiola has openly expressed his admiration for the Italian and thanked Ancelotti for the help he provided during Guardiola’s early stages as a manager.
TM – 5, W – 3, D – 0, L – 2, GF – 7, GA – 7
Memorable fixtures: City 3, Everton 1 (2020-21), Madrid 4, Bayern 0 (2013-14)
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
9. Antonio Conte
The Italian was labelled the best manager by Guardiola in 2017. Their teams have met merely four times and a thriving tactical battle has been on display every time.
TM – 4, W – 2, D – 0, L – 2, GF – 4, GA – 5
Memorable fixture: City 1, Chelsea 3 (2016-17)
10. Luis Enrique
If there is one manager who has rattled Guardiola’s defence and made him suffer, then it is the man who succeeded him at Barcelona, Luis Enrique. To be fair, Enrique had the deadly trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar leading his front line. They were impossible to stop.
TM – 4, W – 2, D – 0, L – 2, GF – 6, GA – 10
Memorable fixtures: Barcelona 4, City 0 (2016-17), Bayern 3, Barcelona 2 (2014-15)
11. Sir Alex Ferguson
Another great man who has suffered at the hands of Guardiola is none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, who lost two Champions League finals in disastrous fashion. His Manchester United side was demolished at the hands of one of the best club sides in history. Barcelona under the guidance of Guardiola were a treat to watch.
TM – 2, W – 2, D – 0, L – 0, GF – 5, GA – 1
Memorable fixtures: Barcelona 3, United 1 (2010-11), Barcelona 2, United 0 (2008-09)
In the words of Gary Neville, “I think Man City may have the greatest manager of all time and we’ll look back in ten, 15, 20 years’ time… just the way he has infiltrated countries, dominated football but also influenced others, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.”
I rest my case.
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