Pep Guardiola will manage his 1,000th career game when Manchester City host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. The Spanish coach admits he struggles to fully grasp the scale of his achievements.
Since taking charge of Barcelona B in 2007, Guardiola has collected 715 victories across all competitions. He has won 12 top-flight titles with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, and lifted three Champions League trophies. The 54-year-old has lost only 128 matches and claimed another 14 cup victories during his career.
Asked if he tracks his total wins, Guardiola admitted the numbers are astonishing. He said he does not constantly calculate them but recognizes the milestones reflect remarkable success. He added that replicating such consistency would be almost impossible if he started again.
dominance and records at city
Guardiola transformed Manchester City into a record-breaking team. He led them to become the first side to reach 100 points in a Premier League season. He also guided City to a domestic treble and four consecutive league titles, achievements unmatched in English football history.
He reflected on his career-winning percentage, noting it exceeds 70%. “Every 10 games we win seven and draw one or two. It is incredible but it happens because of the players and their dedication,” he said. Guardiola emphasized his own passion, dedication, and attention to detail as key factors in his success. He thrives on studying opponents and motivating players to follow his strategies completely.
When asked about being called the greatest manager of all time, Guardiola smiled and agreed. He credited history and his teams’ performances but said he never started managing with that goal in mind.
rivalry with Liverpool
Guardiola was inducted into the League Managers Association hall of fame to mark his milestone. Sir Alex Ferguson praised his longevity, saying the achievement can never be underestimated.
On Sunday, City face Liverpool, a club that has become their biggest English rival. Guardiola said both teams pushed each other to improve over the years. “If I had to choose a rival for this milestone, it would be them,” he said, praising the healthy competition.
Liverpool, alongside Tottenham, represents the club Guardiola has lost to most often in England. He praised Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s former manager, for being the opponent he faced most frequently and who beat him the most times. “Jurgen and Liverpool have been the biggest rival in this country. I have loved every moment of it,” Guardiola said. He added that the respect between him and Klopp shaped his career and pushed him to excel.
