Guardiola Celebrates 1,000 Games: A Milestone in Premier League History

Pep Guardiola is set to mark his 1,000th game in management as he leads Manchester City against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. The Spanish manager has expressed his amazement at the impressive statistics he has amassed throughout his career.

Since beginning his managerial journey with Barcelona B in 2007, Guardiola has achieved 715 wins in all competitions. His illustrious career includes 12 top-flight titles across Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, alongside three Champions League trophies.

At 54 years old, Guardiola has recorded only 128 losses and has secured an additional 14 cup titles during his tenure. When asked by BBC Sport about his career victories, he remarked, “Of course I know, a lot. The numbers are insane, I’m sorry to tell you.”

He continued, “I’m not focused on the total wins, but when you reflect on the milestones and the victories across all competitions, including the Champions League, it’s evident we’ve achieved remarkable success at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and here.”

Guardiola is credited with transforming English football, introducing a style of play that many coaches have sought to emulate. Under his leadership, City became the first team to reach 100 points in a single league season, achieve a domestic treble, and win four consecutive league titles.

On his impressive win rate, Guardiola stated, “It seems like I have false humility, but more than 70% of victories means that, on average, we win seven out of every ten games. This success is partly due to being at clubs like Barcelona, Munich, and City with exceptional players, alongside a significant amount of hard work, dedication, and passion.”

When asked about being labeled the greatest manager of all time by some, he smiled and replied, “They are completely right! The influence of every manager has been felt throughout history. While I can acknowledge my success, I never began my journey with the aim of being the best.”

Guardiola was honored with induction into the League Managers Association (LMA) Hall of Fame, with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson emphasizing the significance of longevity in reaching such a landmark.

As Guardiola prepares to face Liverpool, a team that has become a fierce rival, he acknowledged their mutual influence in elevating each other’s performance in the league. “I think we have pushed Liverpool to improve, and they have pushed us as well,” he remarked.

He noted, “If I had to choose a rival to celebrate this milestone with, it would be Liverpool. My experiences in this country have been incredibly impactful, from my time at Barcelona to Bayern Munich.”

With Liverpool being one of the teams against which Guardiola has faced the most defeats (10), he has praised their competitive spirit, particularly under manager Jürgen Klopp, who has been his most frequent opponent, with 31 encounters resulting in 11 wins for Klopp.

“Liverpool, especially with Jürgen, have been the biggest rivals in this country,” Guardiola concluded. “It could not be better. Our rivalry has been healthy, and I have immense respect for Jürgen. He has challenged me to improve, and I miss that aspect of our competition.”