Guardiola Approaches Milestone Match Against Liverpool in Style

Pep Guardiola is poised to reach an impressive milestone this weekend, as he prepares to manage his 1,000th match as a head coach. His illustrious managerial career spans 18 years, encompassing successful tenures at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and currently at Manchester City.

It is particularly fitting that the 54-year-old marks this landmark against Liverpool, a club that has often proven to be his toughest adversary during his trophy-filled era at City.

Currently in his tenth season with Manchester City, Guardiola has secured six Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium, edging out Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool in both the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons. Notably, Liverpool triumphed in the two seasons when Guardiola did not clinch the league title—2019-20 and 2024-25—first under Klopp and then under current manager Arne Slot last season.

While Guardiola has had a notable rivalry with José Mourinho during their respective spells at Barcelona and Real Madrid, he has identified Klopp as the opponent who has truly pushed him to excel.

Ahead of Sunday’s significant match, Guardiola remarked, “If I were to choose one rival for this personal milestone, that I want to share with many people, they [Klopp’s Liverpool] would be the best.”

He continued, “I have been in this country longer than ever. The influence of Barcelona, where I started as a ballboy and progressed through various roles, is undeniable, and Bayern was an extraordinary chapter. However, Liverpool, especially under Jürgen, have been our biggest rivals in this country, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate this milestone. Destiny has aligned perfectly, and it’s a wonderful experience.”

The impact of Klopp on Guardiola is evident; they have faced each other during their tenures at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern, and Guardiola admits he “misses” the competition against the 58-year-old, who has been out of work since departing Liverpool in the summer of 2024.

“In terms of respect between our teams, I feel we have always respected each other,” Guardiola stated. “Jurgen has challenged me significantly, and I miss that dynamic. Competing against him has pushed me to think critically and work harder.”

Reflecting on his remarkable longevity in management, particularly given the high-pressure environments at Barcelona, Bayern, and City—each among Europe’s elite—Guardiola opened up about the complexities of life on the touchline. “The statistics are extraordinary. I don’t constantly focus on the numbers, but when I reach a milestone and assess my accomplishments, including victories and averages—not just in the Premier League but also in the Champions League—it’s clear how difficult it is to achieve such success,” he said.

As City prepares to face Slot’s Liverpool, they aim to make it a memorable occasion for Guardiola. The ten-time champions head into this match in excellent form, having lost only once in their last 13 games across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is experiencing a resurgence following a challenging stretch that included four consecutive league losses to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Brentford. They have bounced back with two recent victories, including a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, featuring goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch, as well as a narrow victory against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the Champions League, secured by a solitary goal from Alexis Mac Allister.