Guardiola: I’m Not the Only Manager Who “Commands a Big Club”, But Few Can Stay Stable Without Slipping Up

In this Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash between Manchester City and Liverpool, manager Pep Guardiola will reach the milestone of his 1000th game in his brilliant coaching career. Ahead of the match, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attended the press conference.

Sir Alex Ferguson once said the secret to his success was having great players. I’m sure you agree to some extent, but when you and your players have achieved so much, how do you keep motivating them to keep going?

I completely agree with Sir Alex Ferguson, and I’ve said it countless times. It might sound like false modesty, but it’s the truth. The reason we have a win rate of over 70%—winning around 7 out of 10 games, losing 1 or 2, drawing 1 or 2—is that I’ve had top-level players at Barcelona, Munich, and City. There’s no secret here.

Beyond that, it’s a lot of hard work, dedication, passion, and love—nothing can replace these. I love football; I enjoy studying opponents’ tactics, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. For example, Dortmund and Bochum play completely differently, and I think about how to deal with that. I try to convince the players to unite and move forward together.

The players always support me. Of course, some players feel frustrated about not playing, which is totally understandable. But others always follow my arrangements and give their all. For those who don’t play, the only way is to be patient and work harder, because maybe tomorrow there will be a chance to prove my decision wrong.

If I start complaining that the club hasn’t given me good enough players, or external factors like the Premier League or national football associations, I’ll definitely fail.

How do you feel when people talk about you as the greatest manager of all time? Looking back at your achievements, coaching style, and influence on football in multiple countries, what do you think?

Every era has different great managers, and many in history have had a profound impact. Of course, I can say I’m one of them, because the data proves it—we’ve achieved success, and our teams play wonderful football.

But I’ve never thought about being the “greatest manager.” I still remember my first time managing here (at City), I never had such a thought. My parents didn’t give me that extreme competitive mindset of “doing anything to be first.” I can accept failure, admit my shortcomings, and never back down.

The reason I’ve achieved what I have, as a reporter just said, is that I’ve managed extraordinary clubs—without these clubs, there would be no such data. But at the same time, I’ve seized opportunities and achieved these goals with the team.

Many managers also get chances to coach big clubs, but few can maintain such stability for a long time and win so many trophies—whether in the Premier League, La Liga, or Bundesliga. So I’ve never deliberately pursued “greatest.” If people think that after I retire, I’ll accept it gladly.

I know you’ve won over 700 games, and it’s hard to pick the most memorable one. But if someone forced you to choose—like the 2011 Champions League final where you beat United 3-1, or a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid here, or a certain El Clásico—which would you pick?

Many people remember those classic games, and rightfully so. The second half of the 2011 Wembley Champions League final against United, from the start to the moment we won 3-1, I think that defined the way we wanted to play at Barcelona.

Of course, there were other classics at Barcelona—like the Club World Cup against Santos, or some games against Real Madrid. There were happy wins, and crushing defeats—like losing 0-5 to Real Madrid. That did happen. So these experiences are balanced; they’re all part of the memory.

Of course, some games are remembered by everyone. It’s good to remember these good moments, but honestly, I wouldn’t pick just one.

Many say your career has changed the core style of football worldwide. Do you think that’s true?

No, I don’t know. I just lead the team, work with the coaching staff and players, and try to play the way I want. I’ve never gone against my inner feelings, not for a second. In this process, I’ve learned a lot and changed many things, but the basic principles I firmly believe in, I’ve never given up.

If there were “violations,” it was because of wrong decisions, poor performances, or opponents playing better. But that doesn’t mean I did something I couldn’t believe in—that’s never happened. I always hope to say “I like the team’s performance” after the game.

Of course, I have changed a lot, because every player, every club, every season, every country’s football environment is different. So I have to adjust based on the players’ abilities.