Pep Guardiola Approaches a Historic Milestone with Manchester City

Pep Guardiola is set to celebrate a remarkable milestone as he prepares to manage his 1,000th game when Manchester City hosts Liverpool in the Premier League this Sunday. The esteemed Spanish manager reflects on his impressive career achievements with a sense of wonder.

Since beginning his managerial journey with Barcelona B in 2007, Guardiola has amassed 715 victories across all competitions. His tenure has seen him secure 12 top-flight titles with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, as well as three Champions League trophies. Over the course of his career, the 54-year-old has only experienced 128 defeats and has added another 14 cup victories to his accolades.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Guardiola acknowledged the significance of his accomplishments, stating, “Of course I know, a lot. The numbers are insane, I’m sorry to tell you. I’m not focused on how many wins I have; however, when reviewing the milestones, the victories, and averages—not only in the Premier League but also in the Champions League—I realize we’ve achieved remarkable things at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and here at City. The prospect of replicating such success feels daunting if I were to start again due to the sheer volume of games. A few defeats—when you consider 1,000 games—will hopefully be minimal come Sunday.”

Guardiola is widely credited with transforming English football through a distinctive style of play that has inspired numerous managers across the nation. His time at City has been particularly impressive, leading the team to significant milestones, including being the first to amass 100 points in a season, achieving a domestic treble, and winning four consecutive league titles.

He commented on his success: “It appears I have false humility, but with a victory percentage exceeding 70%, it means that out of every 10 games, we typically win seven and draw one or two. This is achievable due to being at Barcelona, Munich, and City, alongside the caliber of players I have. However, it requires tremendous hard work, dedication, and passion—no one can surpass me in that regard. I thrive on uncovering strategies to outsmart opponents, convincing players, and pushing forward together. My players consistently support me in this endeavor.”

When asked about being regarded as the greatest manager of all time by some, Guardiola responded with a smile, “They are completely right! The influence of every manager has shaped history. I can certainly claim my part in that, as the numbers reflect my success, and it has been gratifying to witness my teams flourish. However, I never embarked on this journey aiming to be the best.”

Guardiola has been inducted into the League Managers Association (LMA) Hall of Fame in recognition of this milestone. Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson remarked that the longevity required to reach such a landmark “can never be underestimated.”

As Guardiola and City prepare to face Liverpool—a team with which they have developed a fierce rivalry, having exchanged Premier League titles over the past eight seasons—he acknowledged the mutual enhancement both clubs have experienced: “I believe we have pushed Liverpool to improve, and they have pushed us to elevate our game, undoubtedly. If I had to designate a rival to share this personal milestone with, it would be them. My experiences in England have been long-lasting, with Barcelona being pivotal in my life as a ballboy, player, and manager, and Bayern Munich marking a significant progression in my career.”

With 10 losses to Liverpool, alongside Tottenham, Guardiola has faced defeat against them most frequently. He praised his opponents for their role in his development as a manager and expressed admiration for former coach Jurgen Klopp, who has been his most frequent adversary, meeting him 31 times and achieving victory 11 times.

“Liverpool, particularly under Jurgen, have been my greatest rivals in this country,” he stated. “It could not be better, to be honest. The universe has orchestrated it perfectly. Experiencing this at our highest level has been gratifying. The era alongside Jurgen has been monumental, especially after our initial season when the Premier League race became a contest between us. I have always appreciated this healthy rivalry, feeling a strong mutual respect between us. Jurgen has greatly influenced me, and I miss him; he has driven me to elevate my own standards in order to try and overcome him.”