Pep Guardiola will reach a landmark moment in his managerial career this Sunday when he takes charge of his 1000th senior match in Manchester City’s Premier League clash against Liverpool. Widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history, Guardiola joins an elite group of coaches to have reached the four-figure milestone.
With 715 wins from his first 999 matches, Guardiola has built a legacy defined not only by relentless success but also by a commitment to beautiful, attacking football.
Reflecting on the achievement, he admitted the milestone was never part of his original vision when he began his journey with Barcelona B in 2007.
‘When I started managing Barcelona B all those years ago, I never thought for one second about reaching 1,000 games,’ he said. ‘You just want to do a good job, play football the right way and see what happens.’
Guardiola expressed gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, crediting the stability and backing at each club for allowing him to thrive. ‘I am very, very proud of my career. The trophies I have won… honestly, I never imagined I would win so often, but it has been beautiful. I would not change a single moment,’ he added.
Across his 18-year managerial career, Guardiola has claimed an astonishing 40 major trophies, averaging one every 25 matches. At Manchester City alone, he has won 18 honours in 549 games, including six Premier League titles. Four of those came consecutively, a feat never before achieved in English football. His first title-winning campaign saw City reach a record-breaking 100 points.
Internationally, Guardiola has guided City to unprecedented success, winning the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in the club’s history. Domestically, he has added two FA Cups, four League Cups, and three Community Shields to his collection. The 2022/23 season was particularly historic, as City completed the treble, joining an exclusive group of nine clubs to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in a single campaign.
Before arriving in Manchester in 2016, Guardiola had already built a formidable reputation. After one season with Barcelona B, he took charge of the first team and led them to 14 trophies in four seasons, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs.
He won 179 of his 247 matches at the helm, following 28 wins in 42 outings with the B team. His style of play revolutionized modern football and earned admiration worldwide.
Following a sabbatical, Guardiola joined Bayern Munich, where he added seven more trophies in three seasons, winning 121 of his 161 matches.
Now in his tenth season at Manchester City, he prepares to mark his 1000th game against a familiar rival, Liverpool, a club whose fierce competition has defined much of his time in English football.
