What Sir Alex Ferguson predicted when Man City first appointed Pep Guardiola in 2016

Pep Guardiola has been in charge of Manchester City for 516 matches. This is a longer period than his time at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. When he first arrived at Manchester City, he was already known as one of the best managers in the world.

However, he was also seen as a coach who didn’t stay long at any club. His time in football had been marked by a tendency to leave after a few years. Despite this, Guardiola has now been in charge at Manchester City for nearly nine years. He is still managing the team, even though this season seems to be one of the toughest periods he has faced. City is currently in fifth place in the Premier League after 28 games, which is not a position Guardiola is used to. He has already won the league six times, but now his team is struggling. City has won 14 matches, drawn five, and lost nine. They have earned 47 points, which is far from their usual position at the top of the table. The team is in a tough spot, just behind Chelsea in fourth place and Brighton in sixth place.

Before Guardiola’s arrival, Sir Alex Ferguson, who was the former manager of Manchester United, made a prediction about Guardiola’s future at Manchester City. Ferguson, like many, had great respect for Guardiola as a coach. Ferguson had retired three years before Guardiola joined the Premier League, but he was still highly regarded in English football. In an interview with Sky Sports, Ferguson shared his thoughts on Guardiola taking over at Manchester City. He admitted that Guardiola had a fantastic work ethic and was known for demanding the best from his players during training sessions. Ferguson said that anyone who didn’t work hard at Manchester City would not last long under Guardiola’s management.

He acknowledged that Guardiola was a great coach, but he also believed that Guardiola would struggle to replicate his success at Barcelona in England. Ferguson pointed out that English football was tough, and every foreign coach who had come to England had faced challenges. He mentioned how even Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho had discussed the difficulties of managing in the Premier League. Ferguson believed that Guardiola would find success, but he didn’t think Guardiola could match the level of achievement he had at Barcelona. He believed that Barcelona, during Guardiola’s time, had been one of the best teams in the world, and the standards there were incredibly high.

When comparing Guardiola’s success at Manchester City to his time at Barcelona, it’s clear that the numbers are not directly comparable. Guardiola’s points-per-match record was slightly better at Barcelona than it has been at City. In terms of statistics, if we consider that cup games also count for three points to make the comparison easier, Guardiola’s time at City doesn’t quite measure up to his numbers at Barcelona or Bayern Munich. In 247 matches at Barcelona, Guardiola earned an average of 2.36 points per match. At Bayern Munich, where he managed for 161 games, his average was 2.41 points per match. At Manchester City, after 516 matches, his average points per match stands at 2.28. Although Guardiola has spent a lot more time at City, his points-per-match average is slightly lower compared to his previous stints.

However, it is important to note that Guardiola has won six league titles at Manchester City, whereas he won three at Barcelona. Guardiola has also won two Champions League titles with Barcelona, but his first Champions League title with Manchester City came in 2023, after many years of trying. Some might argue that Guardiola’s achievements in England are more impressive because he didn’t have players like Lionel Messi, who was a key figure during his time at Barcelona. Nonetheless, it is hard to overlook the fact that Guardiola’s time at Barcelona was probably the most successful period of his career.

Even though Guardiola has faced significant challenges at Manchester City, his impact on the team and the league cannot be denied. His tenure has seen City win many trophies and establish themselves as one of the best teams in England. However, this season has shown that Guardiola is not immune to difficulties. His time at City is now in a much tougher phase, with the team not performing at their usual high level. Manchester City’s position in the league is something that fans and pundits are not used to seeing under Guardiola. Despite this, Guardiola has built a legacy at City, and his achievements at the club are undeniable.

The question of whether Guardiola can replicate the success of his time at Barcelona remains a topic of debate. While his time in Manchester has been marked by consistent success, it is clear that Barcelona was a different challenge altogether. Guardiola had a team full of exceptional players, most notably Lionel Messi, who helped him achieve incredible success. At Manchester City, while the team has many talented players, it has been a different journey. The competition in the Premier League is fierce, and Guardiola has had to adapt to a new environment and a different style of play. Still, his ability to win trophies in the Premier League and internationally with City has proven that he is an outstanding manager, even if his team isn’t quite as dominant as the Barcelona side he managed.

It is difficult to say whether Guardiola’s work at City is more impressive than what he achieved at Barcelona. Both stints have been successful, but for different reasons. At Barcelona, Guardiola was part of a team that was considered the best in the world, and his success there was largely due to the incredible talent at his disposal. At City, however, Guardiola has had to face tougher competition in England, and his ability to adapt and continue to win trophies is a testament to his skill as a manager. His achievements at City are still remarkable, but it is clear that his time at Barcelona stands out as one of the best periods in football history.

Guardiola’s work at Manchester City will continue to be remembered, regardless of the outcome of this season. His impact on the team and the club’s success over the years cannot be ignored. However, the challenges he is facing this season serve as a reminder that even the best managers can experience difficult times. Whether or not Guardiola can return City to the top of English football remains to be seen, but his legacy at the club is already firmly established. The team may be facing tough times now, but with Guardiola’s leadership, they will likely continue to be a force in English football for many years to come.