Pep Guardiola is known as one of the best managers in the world, if not the best. He has won countless trophies at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. It is rather unfortunate that he is leaning towards not signing a contract extension when his contract ends in June 2025.
It would make sense for him to leave then because he has already accomplished what the club has been brought him for, that being the UEFA Champions League. The two years left he has on his contract gives him enough time to win another European Cup but the pressure will not be the same since he already has won one.
In this piece, we will discuss why Guardiola’s successes could see him pass Sir Alex Ferguson.
Pep has won two trebles
The Spaniard has won a treble at Barcelona and more recently at Man City. He accomplished his first treble during the 2008/09 campaign for Barcelona. The Spanish giants won the league on 87 points – nine points ahead of fierce rivals Real Madrid – with a goal difference of +70. In their Copa del Rey, run had beaten the likes of Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid. However, it is the Champions League run that was more remarkable. There, they ousted Bayern Munich and Chelsea before defeating Manchester United in the final.
In the Spaniards’ second treble, his City side pipped Arsenal to the Premier League in a hard-fought title race. City also won the FA Cup, beating arch rivals Manchester United in the showpiece. In the Champions League, Manchester City beat Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds of the Champions League en route to defeating Internazionale in the final.
This contrasts to Sir Alex Ferguson who has only won one treble in the 1998/99 campaign despite being a manager for a longer period of time.
Guardiola has beaten Ferguson in two finals
In two out of the three Champions League finals Pep has won, his side defeated Sir Alex Ferguson. Guardiola’s Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 final before beating the same opponent 3-1 at Wembley two years later.
The 3-1 win at Wembley was a masterclass from Guardiola as his side played the Red Devils off the park. In that final, United had no answer for Barcelona’s tiki taka style of play which saw them have almost 70 percent possession and 22 shots in contrast to Man United’s four.
After the match, Ferguson said this was the greatest side he had ever faced.
He could surpass Fergie’s trophy haul
Ferguson has won 2 Champions Leagues, 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup during his 27 years at Man. United. Prior to managing United, he was quite successful at Aberdeen, winning three Scottish Premier Division titles (1979–80, 1983–84, and 1984–85), four Scottish Cups (1982, 1983, 1984, and 1986), and a European Cup Winners’ Cup (1983). In total, the Scotsman has 49 major honours.
Guardiola has been successful at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. He has won 5 Premier Leagues, 3 Champions League, 3 La Ligas, 4 UEFA Super Cups, 2 German Cups, 3 Club World Cups, 2 FA Cups, 2 Spanish Super Cups 4 English League Cups, 3 Spanish Super Cups and 2 Community Shields. In total, he has 36 major honours which is 13 less then Ferguson.
Guardiola’s Champions League success was inevitable at Man. City as he is coaching some of the best players in the world. They have numerous world class midfielders such as Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.