Pep Guardiola is coming up to almost a decade as the manager of Manchester City, and in that time, he’s achieved, pretty much, all there is to achieve.
Pep Guardiola has dominated English football over the past 10 years or so.
Guardiola had a remarkable reputation within the game before he arrived at the Etihad, but now, he’s cemented himself as one of the all-time greats.
There was some level of scepticism when Guardiola arrived in England – would his intricate style of play work in a more brutish league?
However, those who knew Guardiola well were steadfast in their belief that he would be a success in England.
Indeed, Guardiola’s former Barcelona protege, Xavi, correctly predicted that Guardiola would be a hit in England after he was hired in 2016.
Xavi’s Pep Guardiola prediction
Via, The Mirror, Xavi predicted that Guardiola would be a real success at Manchester City.
“When I was at Barcelona we would always be talking about the Premier League, and our respect for the quality of the teams, the players, and the pace the game was played at,” Xavi said.
“Even when he was at Barcelona, you could see it was his dream to one day manage in England.
“I don’t think it is even a question if he will be a success in England or not. Of course he will be, like he is a success everywhere.”
Pep Guardiola had his doubters
When Guardiola arrived in Manchester, not everybody thought the Spaniard would be so successful.
Indeed, speaking to Sky Sports back in 2016, Sir Alex Ferguson spoke about Guardiola’s arrival in the Premier League.
Ferguson noted that Manchester City had made a good move in bringing in Guardiola, but he did cast some doubts.
Fergie said that it would be difficult for Guardiola to replicate at City what he did at Barcelona, claiming that he won’t find English football easy.
- READ MORE: Brad Friedel thinks £35m player looks better than he is because he plays for Manchester City
Sir Alex Ferguson’s prediction about Pep Guardiola
Alex Ferguson spoke about Guardiola and how he would do at Manchester City.
Fergie thought that Guardiola would be a success, but he said that he wouldn’t be as successful as he was at Barcelona, claiming that he’d never find players as talented as the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi or Andres Iniesta.
“Pep without question has a fantastic work ethic about him,” Ferguson said.
“He demands that from all of his training sessions. Anyone who doesn’t work hard at City won’t last long. I’m sure about that.
“It will be difficult for him to replicate what he did at Barcelona. His wonderful triangle of players, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. Xavi and Iniesta without a doubt they were the best.
“He’s never going to get that again. Man City have done a great coup in getting him because he’s an outstanding coach, but Pep won’t find it as easy, English football is not easy.”
“It will be a success, but I don’t think he will replicate what he did at Barcelona, but that’s a high standard, they were a success.”
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City record compared to Barcelona
It’s fair to say that Ferguson was wide of the mark here.
Indeed, Fergie didn’t think Guardiola would be as dominant as he was with Barcelona at Manchester City, but the reality is that he’s been more dominant in some ways.
Yes, Guardiola has only won one Champions League title with City, but, in a lot of ways, he’s been more dominant during his time at the Etihad.
| Pep Guardiola at Manchester City | Pep Guardiola at Barcelona | |
|---|---|---|
| 510 | Games | 247 |
| 361 | Wins | 179 |
| 74 | Draws | 47 |
| 75 | Losses | 21 |
| 71% | Win percentage | 72% |
| 6 | League titles | 3 |
| 6 | Domestic cups | 2 |
| 1 | Champions League wins | 2 |
| 2 | Treble wins | 1 |
| 100 | Most points in a season | 99 |
Guardiola’s win percentage at Barcelona was slightly higher, but that is over a much smaller timespan and the margin there is very thin.
Pep has won more trophies at City than he did at Barcelona, and he’s achieved higher heights in terms of domestic points tallies.
Guardiola is seen as the best in the world, and for good reason. In fact, some believe Guardiola is even better than Ferguson was.
Ferguson didn’t think Guardiola would be able to replicate what he did at Barcelona with Manchester City, but there is an argument to make that he’s achieved more at the Etihad than he ever did at Camp Nou.
