Pep Guardiola turns 51 on Tuesday and has now in management over almost 14 years having enjoyed huge success with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City – earning plaudits from Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and others along the way
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Pep Guardiola reacts to Manchester City win over Chelsea
Back in 2008 Barcelona took a punt on a 37-year-old unproven coach who’d never led any team except their B side.
It would turn out to be a masterstroke as Pep Guardiola quickly showed he would innovate football and raise standards to the like we’ve never seen.
A 1-0 defeat on his managerial debut at Numancia fuelled the doubters but by the end of his first season as manager he’d claimed a historic treble.
Fast forward 14 years and Guardiola has won the league in nine of his 12 full seasons as boss and is primed to add to that this season.
But the numbers only say so much, it has been the manner by which those achievements have come about that have really put him amongst the game’s greatest coaches.
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His Barcelona side produced arguably the greatest final display when they won the Champions League in 2011.
The Catalan has rewritten the English record books and his 2017/18 side remain the only Premier League team to hit 100 points.
In Germany, despite failing to capture the European Cup, his Bayern Munich side are renowned for playing the highest level of football ever seen in the Bundesliga.
Doubts, of course, existed over whether his possession-based style would work in England.
An underwhelming first year left question marks, but those that questioned have been left with egg on their face as his City side have often made light work of winning games.
Guardiola’s efforts are now inspiring the next generation, with former player Xavi holding the reins at the Nou Camp.
The 51-year-old is seen very much as the modern day discipline of Johan Cruyff, who himself was among those who pioneered Total Football with the Dutch side of the 1970s.
Cryuff defended Guardiola after his Barcelona debut, insisting the level of football was too good not to bear fruits and how right he was.
Methods which include goalkeepers playing with the ball like we’ve rarely seen and full-backs coming inside to create an overload have all been led by the City boss.
Currently, his latest genius solution, is making a mockery of the idea that you need a striker to win football games and silverware.
Throughout his career he’s come up against the game’s biggest names in the dugout, drawing praise from them all.
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Sir Alex Ferguson
The Scot was subjected to Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona side twice in the space of three seasons.
On each occasion the narrative was the same – they couldn’t get near them.
Ferguson retired in 2013 meaning we were denied the chance of a domestic duel with Guardiola.
Nevertheless the former United manager knew exactly what City were getting when they hired the Catalan more than five years ago.
“He has got a great coaching ability there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“Man City have made a real coup in getting him because’s he’s an outstanding coach.”
Ferguson made moves to convince Guardiola to join United when he left in 2013, but the 51-year-old had already opted to take up the Bayern job.
Arsene Wenger
The Frenchman’s first taste of Guardiola was a Champions League tie back in 2010.
Arsenal battled to a 2-2 draw in north London before losing 4-1 in Spain. Guardiola would get the better of him again a year later.
The Catalan’s Bayern side also faced Arsenal on four occasions, winning twice.
In Wenger’s final season he and Guardiola squared off three times with the Catalan winning by a 9-1 aggregate margin.
“I personally respect him hugely as a manager and I think he’s had an exceptional career,” said the former Arsenal boss.
Jurgen Klopp
The Liverpool boss has been Guardiola’s modern day rival.
He hailed the Reds as the best side he’s ever come across, on par with Luis Enrique’s treble winning Barcelona team.
It took a Herculean effort for City to overcome Liverpool back in 2019 in what was arguably the greatest ever title race.
For a period Klopp looked to have Guardiola’s number, but the Catalan has come back fighting and more than has the respect of his peer.
“I was never interested in being the best coach in the world,” said the Liverpool boss.
“For me, Pep is. Even I don’t know if that’s the truth but he is really difficult to play against.”
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Mauricio Pochettino
The Argentine has enjoyed notable success against Guardiola, even if their head-to-head record suggests otherwise.
Pochettino, like the Catalan, is very much a modern day coach who looks dominate the ball and implement a high press, best seen during his Tottenham tenure.
Lacking in resources though, his north London side were often outgunned by City and he too has found that to be the case with PSG.
“For me, he is the best,” Pochettino said this season.
“I admire him and think he is doing a fantastic job. He is an amazing coach, always thinking of different strategies and game-plans. I love to challenge him and the teams he prepared.
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Johan Cruyff
The hallmark of a coach can often be what he leavers behind. Cruyff more than anyone allowed his legacy to continue through individuals like Guardiola
For people like them, winning is not enough. The performance and the result almost go hand in hand.
Back in 2011 the Dutchman said about Guardiola at Barcelona: “He is doing very well, step by step, doing things the way he thinks they should do. He is attentive to every detail and always tries to get the most out of each player.
“I’m very lucky to have coached people like Guardiola.
“This is not just about winning a game, it is something else. And that is what gives me most pride.”
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