Pep Guardiola is, without doubt, the top manager in the world. He has achieved success at every club he has been at and his trophy record speaks for itself. In his managerial career he has scooped three La Liga titles, three Bundesliga titles and of course one Premier League title with Manchester City last season.
However, he has only won two Champions League titles, which for any other other manager would be a brilliant achievement. However, both of Pep’s titles came when he was at Barcelona in charge of one of the greatest sides of all time, including the great Lionel Messi.
He was asked about this record in his pre-match press conference, ahead of City’s Champions League tie against Schalke this evening by a Nigerian journalist:
“What do you say to people who claim you've not won the Champions League since Barcelona because you don't have Messi, Xavi, Iniesta..."
To which Guardiola responded:
“I completely agree with them. I completely agree with them. Because when I was there I said many times I win because I have incredible players. But I had in Munich as well and Manchester as well. But, in Barcelona I was a lucky guy, I’m sorry, I was lucky, I agree with them.”
Pep was indeed a lucky guy but he has played down the work he did at Barcelona. Yes, he had a fantastic squad but he improved the players no end and helped turn Lionel Messi into the player he is today.
In fact, Barca finished down in third position the season before Guardiola took over, with Real Madrid winning the league a whopping 18 points clear of them. Villarreal finished in second after an impressive campaign, ending the season eight points behind the eventual league winners.
The following season, Guardiola’s men romped to the title, nine points ahead of Real Madrid, meaning Pep had inspired a 27 point swing over the course of his first season. So, he may have been lucky with the quality of his squad but he certainly helped make them the players they are today.
"I completely agree! I was very lucky."
Pep Guardiola responds to people who suggest he is overrated as a coach 👀