Pep Guardiola will oversee his 1,000th fixture as a manager when Manchester City host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. The Spanish coach admitted he finds it hard to believe the scale of what he has achieved since beginning his managerial journey with Barcelona B in 2007.
Pep Guardiola will oversee his 1,000th fixture as a manager when Manchester City host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. The Spanish coach admitted he finds it hard to believe the scale of what he has achieved since beginning his managerial journey with Barcelona B in 2007.
Throughout his career, Guardiola has celebrated 715 victories across all competitions and collected 12 league titles with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City. His teams have also lifted three Champions League trophies and 14 domestic cups.
The 54-year-old has only experienced 128 defeats in nearly two decades of management. Speaking to BBC Sport about his record, he acknowledged the magnitude of his accomplishments. “Of course I know a lot. The numbers are insane,” he said, before adding that reaching such figures again would be almost impossible.
Guardiola said he rarely thinks about statistics during his work, but reflecting on them makes him proud of the journey. “It’s difficult to reach. If I start again, I would not reach it. It’s too many games,” he noted, hoping Sunday’s match will continue his winning trend.
Widely regarded as one of the sport’s most influential figures, Guardiola has shaped modern English football through his innovative approach and relentless pursuit of excellence. His Manchester City sides have broken numerous records — including becoming the first club to reach 100 points in a Premier League season, completing a domestic treble, and winning four consecutive league titles.
Guardiola admitted that his success is partly a reflection of managing elite clubs filled with world-class players. “When you’re at Barcelona, Munich, and City, with the players I have, it can happen,” he said. “But it’s also hard work, dedication, passion, and love — in that, nobody can beat me.”
He explained that his joy comes from studying opponents, developing strategies, and uniting his squad around shared ideas. “I love to discover the secrets of the game, to convince players and move together. All the time they follow me,” he said.
When asked about those calling him the greatest manager of all time, Guardiola responded playfully: “They are completely right!” He acknowledged that history is built by many coaches but admitted his own numbers speak for themselves. “It’s been nice to watch my teams. I never started thinking I wanted to be the best,” he added.
The milestone has also earned Guardiola induction into the League Managers Association Hall of Fame, with Sir Alex Ferguson praising the achievement as a testament to his longevity and consistency.
Fittingly, Guardiola’s 1,000th game comes against Liverpool — the side that has pushed City hardest in recent years. Between them, the two clubs have dominated English football, claiming every Premier League title over the past eight seasons.
“I think we made Liverpool better, and they made us better,” Guardiola said. “If I had to pick one rival to share this moment with, it would be them.” He credited his time in England as the longest and most formative phase of his career, following his spells in Spain and Germany.
Liverpool has also been one of his toughest opponents, inflicting 10 defeats on his sides — more than any other English club. Guardiola singled out former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp as the manager who challenged him most often, facing him 31 times and losing 11 of those meetings.
“Liverpool, especially with Jürgen, has been the biggest rival in this country,” Guardiola said. “It couldn’t be better — the universe decided that. It’s been the biggest rivalry, and I always enjoyed it. Jürgen gave me a lot, and I miss him. He pushed me to do more to try and beat him.”
