Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged on Friday that he has experienced remarkable success as he gears up for his 1,000th game as a manager against Liverpool. Guardiola began his coaching career with Barcelona’s B team before leading the main squad at Camp Nou, then moving on to Bayern Munich and eventually landing at Manchester City.
The 54-year-old former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has achieved 715 victories out of his 999 games so far, earning numerous accolades at all the clubs he has overseen. “The statistics are incredible,” Guardiola remarked during a pre-match press conference. “When you reflect on the milestones and achievements, it’s truly impressive. We have accomplished remarkable feats not only in the Premier League and Champions League but also during my time at Barcelona.”
Guardiola, who joined Manchester City in 2016, expressed that facing Liverpool in his milestone game is fitting due to their status as his top rivals in England. Over the past decade, both clubs have been dominant in English football, sharing the last eight Premier League titles between them.
Acknowledging his career journey, Guardiola shared, “Barcelona certainly played a significant role in my life, and my time at Bayern was also remarkable. However, Liverpool, particularly under Jurgen Klopp, have been our biggest rivals in this country. It’s a perfect match-up.”
In a light-hearted moment, Guardiola responded to pundits labeling him as the greatest manager of all time by saying, “They are absolutely right.” He emphasized his commitment to his footballing principles throughout his career, stating, “I have always strived to implement my style of play. I have never compromised my beliefs. While I have adapted and evolved, my core values have remained unchanged.”
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who managed over 2,000 games in his illustrious career, praised Guardiola for reaching the 1,000-game milestone. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, formerly an assistant to Guardiola at Manchester City, hailed Guardiola as the most influential figure in his footballing journey.
In the Premier League, both Manchester City and Liverpool, under Arne Slot, are chasing Arsenal’s early-season lead after ten matches. Guardiola’s side trails Arsenal by six points, with defending champions Liverpool one point behind.