Alex Ferguson said man city player is the backbone of the team and not pep Guardiola

In football there are moments when a comment from a legendary figure suddenly makes everyone stop and think. That is exactly what happened when Alex Ferguson spoke about the success of Manchester City and the way people talk about their dominance. For many years now, whenever City win trophies, break records, or dominate opponents, the first name everyone mentions is Pep Guardiola. The Spanish coach has been widely praised for transforming the club into one of the most powerful teams in world football. His tactical ideas, his philosophy, and his obsession with control of the game have made City look unstoppable for long periods.

But Ferguson believes something important is being missed in that conversation. According to the former Manchester United manager, people are praising Guardiola too much while ignoring the players who actually make everything happen on the pitch. In particular, he pointed to two names that he believes have been the real backbone of City’s success in recent years: Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri.

His comments have quickly sparked debate across the football world. Fans, pundits, and former players have all started asking the same question. Is Manchester City’s success mainly about Guardiola’s genius, or is it actually driven by the brilliance of the players who execute his ideas?

To understand Ferguson’s argument, it is important to look at the bigger picture of what City have achieved over the past few seasons. Since Guardiola arrived at the club in 2016, Manchester City have become a machine. They have won multiple titles in the Premier League, dominated domestic competitions, and conquered Europe by winning the UEFA Champions League. The team has broken records for points, goals, possession, and consistency.

Because of that success, Guardiola is often described as one of the greatest coaches in football history. His previous achievements with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich had already made him famous, but his work at City has taken his reputation to another level. His teams play with incredible precision. They pass quickly, move intelligently, and control games almost like chess masters controlling a board.

However, Ferguson believes that even the best tactical system in the world cannot work without the right players to execute it. In his view, De Bruyne and Rodri are the two players who make Guardiola’s ideas possible. Without them, he argues, Manchester City would not dominate the way they do.

When people talk about Kevin De Bruyne, they often focus on his incredible passing ability. The Belgian midfielder is widely considered one of the best playmakers of his generation. His vision, creativity, and ability to deliver the perfect pass have made him one of the most dangerous players in world football.

But De Bruyne’s impact goes far beyond just assists. He controls the rhythm of City’s attacks. When the team needs to slow down, he slows it down. When they need to accelerate, he speeds things up. His understanding of space and timing allows him to unlock defenses that seem impossible to break.

Over the years, De Bruyne has produced countless moments of brilliance for Manchester City. Whether it is a long pass that splits the defense, a powerful shot from outside the box, or a clever through ball that sets up a goal, he has repeatedly proven why he is one of the most complete midfielders in modern football.

Ferguson believes that this influence is sometimes overlooked because people focus too much on Guardiola’s tactics. The former United manager argues that even the best system needs a player who can think creatively and make decisions in the most difficult moments. In City’s case, that player is Kevin De Bruyne.

At the same time, Ferguson says Rodri deserves even more recognition than he currently receives. The Spanish midfielder may not always grab headlines the way attacking players do, but his importance to Manchester City cannot be overstated.

Rodri operates as the defensive midfielder, the player who protects the back line and controls the center of the pitch. His role requires intelligence, discipline, and calmness under pressure. He must read the game constantly, intercept passes, break up attacks, and start new moves for his own team.

Many fans do not always notice the work of a defensive midfielder because it is often quiet and subtle. But managers and experienced players understand how crucial that role is. Without a strong presence in midfield, even the most talented attacking players cannot perform.

Rodri has become the anchor of Guardiola’s system. He is the player who connects defense and attack. When City lose the ball, he is usually the first one to react and recover it. When they regain possession, he helps organize the next move.

One of Rodri’s greatest strengths is his positioning. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. That allows him to intercept passes, stop counterattacks, and keep the team balanced.

His composure on the ball is another key quality. Under pressure, he rarely panics. Instead, he calmly finds a teammate and helps City maintain control. This ability to keep possession is central to Guardiola’s philosophy.

Ferguson believes that Rodri’s importance has grown enormously over the past three years. In fact, many people believe City struggle whenever he is not in the team. Statistics have often shown that the team’s results and performances drop when Rodri is absent.

The Spanish midfielder’s most famous moment came during the Champions League final when he scored the winning goal that gave Manchester City their first European crown. That moment instantly made him a hero among City fans.

But Ferguson’s point is that Rodri’s value cannot be measured only by big moments like that. His influence is present in almost every game, even when he does not score or assist.

By highlighting De Bruyne and Rodri, Ferguson is also reminding people about something he understood very well during his own managerial career. Great teams are always built around strong midfielders.

During Ferguson’s time at Manchester United, he relied heavily on midfield leaders who controlled matches and set the tempo for the team. Players like Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were central to United’s dominance for many years.

Keane provided leadership, aggression, and defensive strength, while Scholes delivered creativity and technical brilliance. Together they formed the engine that powered United’s success.

Ferguson sees a similar dynamic at Manchester City with Rodri and De Bruyne. Rodri provides stability and control, while De Bruyne brings creativity and attacking power. Together they form a partnership that allows Guardiola’s system to function perfectly.

This is why Ferguson believes they deserve more recognition. While Guardiola’s tactical brilliance is undeniable, football is ultimately played by the players on the pitch. Without the right individuals to execute the plan, even the best ideas will fail.

The debate about Guardiola versus the players is not new in football. Throughout history, fans have often argued about whether success is more about the coach or the players.

Some believe that a great manager can transform any team and make average players look world class. Others believe that talent on the pitch is the most important factor, and that even the best coach cannot win without exceptional players.

In reality, the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Successful teams need both great managers and great players. The manager provides the strategy and leadership, while the players bring the skill and execution.

In Manchester City’s case, Guardiola’s tactical ideas have clearly played a major role in their dominance. His emphasis on possession, movement, and positional play has created a system that is incredibly difficult for opponents to stop.

However, that system requires players with extraordinary technical ability and intelligence. Not every midfielder can play the way Guardiola demands. It requires players who can think quickly, move constantly, and make the right decisions under pressure.

That is where De Bruyne and Rodri become so important. They are perfectly suited to Guardiola’s style of play. Their intelligence, composure, and technical ability allow them to operate within the system while also adding their own creativity and leadership.

Ferguson’s comments have therefore reopened a fascinating discussion about the nature of football success. Is Manchester City’s dominance primarily the result of Guardiola’s genius, or is it the product of world class players performing at the highest level?

Many fans believe the answer is both. Guardiola’s tactical vision created the framework, but players like De Bruyne and Rodri are the ones who bring that vision to life on the pitch.

Another reason Ferguson’s words carry so much weight is because of his own legendary status in football. During his time at Manchester United, he built one of the most successful dynasties in the history of English football.

Under his leadership, United won numerous Premier League titles, domestic cups, and Champions League trophies. His ability to build teams, develop players, and maintain success over decades made him one of the greatest managers of all time.

Because of that experience, Ferguson understands better than most how difficult it is to build a truly dominant team. His praise for De Bruyne and Rodri therefore reflects a deep appreciation for what they bring to Manchester City.

For City fans, Ferguson’s comments may feel like a rare compliment coming from someone so closely associated with their biggest rivals. But it also highlights just how impressive City’s midfield has been.

As Manchester City continue to compete for trophies, the importance of De Bruyne and Rodri will likely remain central to their ambitions. Both players have already established themselves as key figures in the club’s modern history.

De Bruyne’s creativity and leadership have made him one of the most beloved players among City supporters. Rodri’s calm authority in midfield has turned him into one of the most reliable players in the squad.

Looking ahead, the challenge for City will be maintaining their dominance as other teams attempt to catch up. Rivals in the Premier League and across Europe are constantly studying Guardiola’s tactics and searching for ways to stop them.

But as long as players like De Bruyne and Rodri continue to perform at the highest level, Manchester City will remain one of the most formidable teams in world football.

Ferguson’s comments therefore serve as an important reminder about the nature of the game. Football is never just about one individual, no matter how brilliant that person may be. It is always a combination of leadership, teamwork, talent, and execution.

Guardiola deserves enormous credit for building one of the most impressive teams of the modern era. But according to Ferguson, the players who drive that success should not be forgotten.

In the end, the debate may never be fully settled. Some fans will always see Guardiola as the mastermind behind Manchester City’s dominance. Others will argue that players like Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri are the true engines of the team.

What cannot be denied, however, is that the partnership between those players and their manager has produced one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

And as long as Manchester City continue to win trophies and play breathtaking football, the conversation about who deserves the most credit will continue to capture the imagination of fans around the world.