Pep Guardiola

1.1. Childhood and Youth Career

Josep Guardiola was born in Santpedor, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, to Dolors and Valentí. He has two older sisters and a younger brother, Pere Guardiola, who is a football agent. At the age of 13, Guardiola joined La Masia, the renowned youth academy of FC Barcelona, after starting his football journey at Gimnàstic de Manresa. He progressed through Barcelona's youth ranks for six years, making his senior team debut in 1990 against Cádiz.

His talent was recognized early by Johan Cruyff, who, during Guardiola's first week at the club, observed him playing for Barcelona B. Cruyff instructed the youth team manager, Carles Rexach, to move Guardiola from the right side of midfield to the center, to play as a pivot. Despite this being a difficult position to adapt to, and one not commonly used in Spain at the time, Guardiola adjusted immediately, fulfilling Cruyff's expectations. Upon his promotion to the first team in 1990, he became the pivotal deep-lying playmaker for Cruyff's "Dream Team."

2.1. FC Barcelona (1988-2001)

Guardiola became a regular in Barcelona's first team during the 1991-92 season. At just 20 years old, he was a key component of the "Dream Team" that secured both the La Liga title and the club's first ever European Cup in 1992. His exceptional performances earned him recognition, with the Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo naming him the finest player in the world under the age of 21.

The "Dream Team" continued its dominance, winning three more consecutive La Liga titles in the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. They reached the 1994 UEFA Champions League final, but were ultimately defeated 4-0 by Fabio Capello's AC Milan in Athens. Even after Cruyff's departure in 1996, and despite Barcelona's slight dip in league form, Guardiola maintained his central role in the midfield.

In the 1996-97 season, under new manager Bobby Robson, Barcelona achieved a treble of domestic and European cups, winning the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España, and the European Cup Winners' Cup. In 1997, Guardiola was appointed Barcelona captain by incoming manager Louis van Gaal. However, a calf muscle injury sidelined him for most of the 1997-98 season, during which Barcelona secured a league and cup double. Towards the end of that season, Barcelona reportedly rejected offers of around 300.00 M ESP for Guardiola from Roma and Parma. After intricate contract negotiations, he signed an extension keeping him at the club until 2001.

Guardiola returned for the 1998-99 season, helping Barcelona secure another La Liga title. On 8 June 1998, he underwent surgery to address his persistent calf injury, which had prevented him from playing for Spain in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The 1999-2000 season was largely disappointing and concluded with another surgery for Guardiola, who missed the final three months due to a serious ankle injury.

On 11 April 2001, Guardiola announced his decision to leave Barcelona after 17 years of service, citing it as a personal choice and a response to what he perceived as football's evolving, more physical direction. His final match for the club was on 24 June 2001, against Celta Vigo. Over 12 seasons with the first team, Guardiola played 479 games and won 16 trophies. At his farewell press conference, he reflected, "It's been a long journey. I'm happy, proud, happy with the way people treated me and I have made many friends. I cannot ask for more. I have had many years in the elite. I did not come to make history but to make my own history." His influence extended beyond his playing days, with future Barcelona midfielders such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Cesc Fàbregas later hailing him as their role model and hero.

2.2. Later Club Career (2001-2006)

After departing Barcelona in 2001 at the age of 30, Guardiola embarked on the latter stage of his playing career. He joined Serie A side Brescia as a deep-lying playmaker, replacing Andrea Pirlo and playing alongside football legend Roberto Baggio under manager Carlo Mazzone.

Following his stint at Brescia, Guardiola transferred to Roma. However, his time in Italy proved unsuccessful. He faced a controversial four-month ban after testing positive for nandrolone, a charge from which he was eventually cleared in 2009.

In 2003, after his Italian endeavors, Guardiola moved to Qatar to play for Al-Ahli in the Qatar Stars League. He spent two seasons with the club, scoring 7 goals in 36 appearances and contributing to their fourth-place league finish in the 2003-04 season. By 2005-06, he declined offers from several European clubs, sensing his playing career was drawing to a close.

His final playing destination was Mexico, where he joined Dorados de Sinaloa in 2006, recruited by manager Juan Manuel Lillo. Guardiola played for six months but was limited to just ten appearances due to recurring injuries before officially retiring in 2006, marking the end of his 16-year playing career.

2.3. International Career

Guardiola's international career saw him represent Spain at various levels and also play for the Catalan national team.

On 14 October 1992, he debuted for the Spain national football team in a friendly match against Northern Ireland. That same year, as captain of the Spain U23 team, he led them to a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games. His impressive performances also earned him the Bravo Award in 1992, recognizing him as the world's best player under 21.

He was a member of the Spanish squad at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals before losing 2-1 to Italy. Due to disagreements with Spain coach Javier Clemente, Guardiola was left out of the squad for UEFA Euro 1996. A career-threatening injury in 1998 forced him to miss the 1998 FIFA World Cup. However, he returned for UEFA Euro 2000, where Spain again reached the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 to France. He continued to feature in the Spanish midfield until his final appearance on 14 November 2001, a 1-0 friendly victory against Mexico. His fifth and final international goal was scored in a 1-1 friendly draw against Sweden in his 45th cap. In total, Guardiola earned 47 caps for the Spanish national team, scoring 5 goals.

Beyond his contributions to Spain, Guardiola was also a strong advocate for and player for the Catalonia national football team. Between 1995 and 2005, he participated in seven friendly matches for the Catalonia team.

3.1. Style of Play

Guardiola was characterized as a highly creative, diligent, agile, and elegant player, possessing exceptional anticipation, tactical awareness, and an innate ability to read the game. Throughout his career, he predominantly operated as a central or defensive midfielder positioned just in front of his team's defensive line, though he was also capable of playing in more attacking midfield roles.

While competent defensively-adept at pressing opponents, breaking up play, and winning the ball through effective teamwork and positional sense-he also had a tendency to commit fouls. Due to his slender physique, he typically functioned as a deep-lying playmaker, excelling with his technical prowess and intelligent, efficient, and precise passing range. At Barcelona, under Cruyff's fluid 3-4-3 formation, he would occasionally drop deeper to act as an additional centre-back. Despite lacking notable pace, dribbling skill, aerial ability, or strong physical attributes, Guardiola was highly regarded for his vision, close control, extensive passing range, positional awareness, and calm composure on the ball. His quick thinking allowed him to maintain possession under pressure and either set the tempo of his team's play with rapid, intricate short exchanges or switch the play and create chances with longer, incisive passes. His role was also likened to that of a metodista (a deep-lying midfielder who dictates play) in Italian football, highlighting his capacity to both orchestrate attacks and contribute defensively. Guardiola could also pose an offensive threat, making attacking runs and striking accurately from distance. He was particularly effective at creating chances or shooting from set-pieces. Serving as captain for both Barcelona and the Spanish national side, he was further recognized for his strong leadership qualities throughout his career. However, he was also known to be prone to injuries.

3.2. Reception

Guardiola's playing style, which prioritized creativity, technique, and ball movement over pure physicality and pace, became a significant influence for several future diminutive Spanish playmaking midfielders. Players like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Cesc Fàbregas (who described Guardiola as his "idol") drew inspiration from his approach. Andrea Pirlo considered Guardiola the "model" for the deep-lying midfield role he himself occupied.

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta once lauded Guardiola as "the best central midfielder in our history." Johan Cruyff regarded him as one of the best midfielders of his generation, a sentiment echoed by football pundits Richard Jolly and Marco Frattino, who stated in 2018 that "Twenty years ago, [...] Pep Guardiola was one of the best midfielders in the world." In 2001, his agent, Josè Maria Orobitg, declared him the world's best at dictating a team's tempo and rhythm.

Miguel Val of Marca recognized Guardiola as one of the greatest Spanish players ever, calling him the "brains of Barcelona's Dream Team under Johan Cruyff" in 2020. Federico Aquè described him as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in European football during his prime, and Lee Bushe of 90min.com included him in his 2020 list of "The Best Deep-Lying Playmakers of All Time."

4.1. FC Barcelona B

Guardiola embarked on his coaching journey on 21 June 2007, when he was appointed manager of Barcelona B, with Tito Vilanova as his assistant. Under his leadership, the team achieved immediate success, winning their Tercera División group and securing promotion to the Segunda División B through the 2008 Segunda División B playoffs. This early achievement showcased his potential as a manager and paved the way for his rapid ascent within the club.

4.2. FC Barcelona (2008-2012)

In May 2008, following the success with Barcelona B, club President Joan Laporta announced that Guardiola would take over from Frank Rijkaard as manager of the senior Barcelona squad at the end of the 2007-08 season.

Upon his appointment, Guardiola made bold decisions, notably stating that star players like Ronaldinho and Deco were not part of his future plans, though Samuel Eto'o was eventually permitted to stay. Working with Director of Sport Txiki Begiristain, he brought in new signings including Dani Alves and Seydou Keita from Sevilla, Martín Cáceres from Villarreal (via Recreativo), Gerard Piqué returning from Manchester United, and Alexander Hleb from Arsenal. Crucially, he also promoted several talented academy players, or canteranos, such as Sergio Busquets, Pedro, and Jeffrén, to the first-team squad. Guardiola emphasized a stricter work ethic and a more personal approach in training, fostering closer relationships with his players.

His first competitive match as manager was in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, where Barcelona comfortably defeated Polish club Wisła Kraków 4-0 at home, progressing despite a 1-0 loss in the second leg. However, the team suffered a setback in the opening match of the 2008-09 La Liga season, losing to newly promoted Numancia. Despite this, Barcelona quickly found their rhythm, embarking on an undefeated streak of over 20 matches, which propelled them to the top of the league table. They secured their first league title since 2006 when rivals Real Madrid lost to Villarreal on 16 May 2009. A pivotal moment in the title race was their emphatic 6-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on 2 May. The league title was Guardiola's second trophy of the season, having already won the 2008-09 Copa del Rey by beating Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the 2009 Copa del Rey final.

The culmination of this historic season came in the Champions League final, where Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0. With this victory, Barcelona became the first Spanish club to achieve the continental treble, winning the domestic cup, the league, and the European club title in the same season. At just 37 years old, Guardiola became the youngest manager to win the Champions League. This treble-winning season is widely regarded as one of the club's finest in its storied history.

Guardiola's second season began with further silverware, as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao in the 2009 Supercopa de España and Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2009 UEFA Super Cup. On 25 September 2009, he earned his 50th professional victory as a manager against Málaga. On 19 December, Barcelona were crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions for the first time in their history. Guardiola concluded the calendar year with an unprecedented six trophies-the Spanish League, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, and Club World Cup-becoming the first manager in history to achieve "the Sextuple." In January 2010, he became Barcelona's longest-serving Spanish manager, surpassing Josep Samitier. He agreed to a one-year contract extension, committing him to Barcelona until the end of the 2010-11 season.

In February 2010, Guardiola managed his 100th match for Barcelona's first team, with a record of 71 wins, 19 draws, and 10 losses, scoring 242 goals and conceding 76. On 10 April 2010, he became the first manager in Barcelona's history to secure four consecutive victories against Real Madrid in El Clásico. Barcelona reached the semi-finals of the 2009-10 Champions League, but were narrowly defeated 3-2 on aggregate by José Mourinho's Inter Milan. Despite this European setback, they clinched their 20th La Liga title with an impressive 99 points, achieved by beating Real Valladolid 4-0 at home. At the time, this was the highest points total ever recorded in any of Europe's major leagues. This La Liga title marked Guardiola's seventh trophy as manager, tying him with Ferdinand Daučík for second most in club history, behind only Johan Cruyff.

The 2010-11 season continued Barcelona's dominance. On 21 August, they defeated Sevilla 5-3 on aggregate to win their second consecutive 2010 Supercopa de España. On 29 November 2010, Barcelona secured a memorable 5-0 victory over Real Madrid, extending Guardiola's winning streak against them to five straight matches. On 8 February 2011, he accepted another one-year contract extension, tying him to the club until June 2012. On 11 May 2011, Barcelona clinched their third consecutive La Liga title with a 1-1 draw against Levante. The season culminated on 28 May, when Barcelona delivered a masterful performance to beat Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley Stadium in the 2011 Champions League final, securing Guardiola's second Champions League title.

The 2011-12 season commenced with a thrilling 5-4 aggregate victory over Real Madrid to win the 2011 Supercopa de España. Barcelona secured their second trophy of the season on 26 August, beating Porto 2-0 in the 2011 UEFA Super Cup. With this victory, Guardiola surpassed Johan Cruyff to become the all-time record holder for most titles won as a manager at Barcelona, accumulating 12 trophies in just three years. By November of the same year, Guardiola had managed his 200th match for Barcelona's first team, achieving a record of 144 wins, 39 draws, and 17 losses, with 500 goals scored and 143 conceded. Barcelona concluded the 2011 calendar year by winning the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Brazilian club Santos 4-0 in the final. This victory marked Guardiola's 13th title out of only 16 tournaments contested. On 9 January 2012, he was named FIFA World Coach of the Year. On his 41st birthday, he led his side to a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico, maintaining his unbeaten record against them in regular time as a manager.

However, the season saw some challenges. On 21 April, Guardiola conceded the league title to Real Madrid after they beat Barcelona 2-1, extending their lead in the table to seven points with four matches remaining. On 24 April, a 2-2 home draw against Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final resulted in Barcelona's elimination on a 2-3 aggregate score, leaving the team with only the Copa del Rey to play for. Guardiola faced increasing criticism regarding his recent tactics and squad selections. On 27 April 2012, he announced his decision to step down as Barcelona's manager at the end of the 2011-12 season. He had been on a rolling contract, renewed annually, and cited tiredness as the main reason, remarking that four years at a club like Barcelona felt like an eternity.

Guardiola concluded his tenure by leading Barcelona to wins in their remaining La Liga games and a dominant 3-0 victory in the Copa del Rey final. His remarkable record of 14 trophies in four seasons cemented his legacy as the most successful manager in Barcelona's history. Barcelona announced that Tito Vilanova would succeed him, taking charge at the start of the 2012-13 season.

After his departure from Barcelona, Guardiola took a year-long sabbatical in Manhattan, New York City, to "recharge his batteries" and consider his future. On 7 January 2013, he finished third for the 2012 FIFA World Coach of the Year, behind winner Vicente del Bosque and runner-up José Mourinho. During a press conference at the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in Zürich, Guardiola stated, "I have taken a decision to return to coaching but beyond that no decision has been taken. I don't have a team to go to but I would like to go back to coaching." To prepare for his next role, he diligently studied German for four to five hours each day.

4.3. FC Bayern Munich (2013-2016)

On 16 January 2013, it was announced that Guardiola would take over as manager of Bundesliga club Bayern Munich after the 2012-13 season, replacing the treble-winning manager Jupp Heynckes. He addressed his first press conference at Bayern on 24 June 2013 in German, demonstrating his commitment to adapting to the new environment, and held his first training session two days later.

His first official match with Bayern was the German Super Cup against rivals Borussia Dortmund, which Bayern lost 4-2. However, he quickly secured his first trophy with the club, winning the 2013 UEFA Super Cup against his long-time adversary José Mourinho and his Chelsea side. Bayern defeated ten-man Chelsea in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, with Manuel Neuer saving Romelu Lukaku's crucial kick. In December 2013, Guardiola added a third Club World Cup title to his collection after Bayern beat Raja Casablanca in Morocco.

On 25 March 2014, Guardiola led Bayern to their 23rd Bundesliga title by beating Hertha Berlin 3-1 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This triumph came with seven matches remaining in the season, marking the earliest the championship had ever been won in Bundesliga history, surpassing the record set by Heynckes' Bayern in the previous season. Guardiola also broke Karl-Heinz Feldkamp's record for the longest winning streak to start a tenure at a Bundesliga club. However, this streak ended at 28 matches when Augsburg defeated Bayern 1-0 on matchday 29, also bringing an end to Bayern's impressive 53-match undefeated streak.

In the semi-finals of the Champions League, Bayern were drawn against Real Madrid. They lost the first leg 1-0 and the second leg 4-0, marking Guardiola's first defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu. He concluded the 2013-14 season by winning the DFB-Pokal, defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in extra time.

The 2014-15 season began with a 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup. On 11 March 2015, Bayern delivered a dominant performance, defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 7-0, which tied their largest win in Champions League history. In his 100th match as manager, Bayern secured an emphatic 6-1 victory over Porto, reaching their fourth consecutive Champions League semi-final. However, on 28 April 2015, Bayern were eliminated from the German Cup in a penalty shootout, missing all four of their attempts. In his first competitive match against his former club, Barcelona, Bayern suffered a 3-0 defeat, failing to register a single shot on target. This period marked a challenging stretch for Guardiola, as he experienced his first sequence of four consecutive losses (including the shootout defeat).

The 2015-16 season started with another loss in the German Super Cup, falling to Wolfsburg in a shootout on 1 August 2015. In the league, Bayern began impressively, winning their first ten matches. Their perfect league start ended on 30 October 2015 with a 0-0 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, and their first league loss came on 5 December 2015, a 3-1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach. In the Champions League group stage, Bayern topped Group F, winning five out of six matches. Their only Champions League group stage loss was against Arsenal on 20 October, which also marked Bayern's first loss in all competitions during the 2015-16 season.

On 20 December, Bayern confirmed that Guardiola would be leaving the club after his contract expired at the end of the season, with Carlo Ancelotti announced as his replacement for the 2016-17 season. On 3 May 2016, Guardiola's Bayern Munich were eliminated by Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, ending his final opportunity to win the Champions League with the Bavarian club. Guardiola's final match as Bayern manager was on 21 May 2016, when Bayern defeated Borussia Dortmund in a DFB-Pokal shootout. He concluded his tenure with an impressive record: 82 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Bundesliga; 14 wins, 3 draws, and no losses in the DFB-Pokal; and 23 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses in the UEFA Champions League. He also had a combined record of two wins, two draws, and two losses across the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and German Super Cup, in addition to six wins, one draw, and one loss in non-official competitions.

4.4. Manchester City (2016-present)

On 1 February 2016, Manchester City officially announced that Guardiola would take over as manager on a three-year contract, commencing at the start of the 2016-17 season.

4.4.1. Early Seasons and First Premier League Titles (2016-2020)

Guardiola immediately set about reshaping the squad for the 2016-17 season, bringing in significant new players such as midfielders İlkay Gündoğan from Borussia Dortmund and Nolito from Celta Vigo, winger Leroy Sané from Schalke 04, and defender John Stones from Everton. In a controversial move, he replaced long-serving City starting goalkeeper Joe Hart with Claudio Bravo from his former club Barcelona; Hart would never make another appearance for City.

On 13 August 2016, Guardiola secured a victory in his first Premier League match, as City defeated Sunderland 2-1. On 11 September, he won his first Manchester derby as a manager with a 2-1 City victory at Old Trafford, marking his sixth win against his "rival" manager José Mourinho. City led the league before the international break, but their form subsequently declined. On 15 January 2017, Manchester City suffered a 0-4 defeat to Everton, which marked Guardiola's biggest ever managerial defeat in a domestic competition at that time. In European competition, City were eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16 by Monaco on away goals after a 6-6 aggregate draw. Despite the elimination, the second leg of the tie was Guardiola's 100th game as a manager in European competition, reaching that milestone with the best record of any manager at that point, having earned 61 wins and 23 draws. Following a loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals, Guardiola concluded his inaugural season in England without a trophy for the first time in his managerial career.

For the 2017-18 season, Guardiola prioritized strengthening City's defensive areas, particularly goalkeeper and full-back positions, to mount a league title challenge. Ederson was brought in as the new first-choice goalkeeper following Bravo's struggles. Wing-backs Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker were signed, while previous senior full-backs like Aleksandar Kolarov, Gaël Clichy, Bacary Sagna, and Pablo Zabaleta departed. Additionally, Bernardo Silva and Danilo were acquired from Monaco and Real Madrid, respectively.

On 25 February 2018, City claimed their first trophy under Guardiola, winning the 2017-18 EFL Cup after defeating Arsenal 3-0 in the final. On 15 April, Manchester City were confirmed as 2017-18 Premier League champions following Manchester United's 1-0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion. City finished the league season with a record-breaking 100 points, becoming the first team in Premier League history to achieve this "Centurions" feat. Following this historic achievement, Guardiola signed a new contract with City, extending his stay until 2021.

During Guardiola's third season at Manchester City, he made two significant transfer acquisitions in 2019: defender João Cancelo from Juventus for 27.40 M GBP plus Danilo, and midfielder Rodri from Atlético Madrid for a club-record fee of 62.80 M GBP. These signings contributed to the value of the City squad exceeding 1.00 B EUR, making them the first football club globally to assemble a squad of such value. On 4 August 2019, City commenced the season by winning the 2019 FA Community Shield against Liverpool in a penalty shootout, securing the trophy for the second consecutive year. During this match, Guardiola also became the first Premier League manager to receive a yellow card from the referee. On 1 March 2020, Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in the 2020 EFL Cup final, winning the competition for a third successive season. City ultimately finished second in the 2019-20 Premier League after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Champions League, after overcoming Real Madrid in the 2019-20 Champions League round of 16, Guardiola's side faced Lyon in the single-elimination quarter-finals on 15 August 2020. City lost the match 1-3, marking their elimination at the quarter-final stage for the third consecutive season.

4.4.2. Premier League Dominance and Champions League Breakthrough (2020-2024)

The 2020-21 season saw a notable improvement in City's defense, conceding just one goal in their first twelve matches. On 19 November 2020, Guardiola signed a new two-year contract extension with Manchester City, committing him to the club until summer 2023. He achieved his 500th win as a manager on 31 January 2021, when City beat Sheffield United 1-0 at home in the 2020-21 Premier League. This victory was City's ninth in January, setting a new record for the most wins by a team in a single month across the top four tiers of English football since the English Football League began in 1888. Following a 3-1 victory over Swansea City in the 2020-21 FA Cup on 10 February, Guardiola's side broke the record for the longest winning run in English top-flight football history, with fifteen straight victories in all competitions.

Guardiola secured his third Premier League title on 11 May 2021, after Manchester United's home defeat to Leicester City. This came two weeks after City had already defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the 2021 EFL Cup final to claim that trophy for the fourth successive time. On 29 May, Manchester City reached their first ever Champions League final, but suffered a 0-1 defeat to Chelsea. Following the match, Guardiola faced criticism for his team selection, particularly for not starting a recognized defensive midfielder. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel admitted his surprise at not seeing midfielder Fernandinho in City's starting line-up.

During the summer transfer window of 2021, Manchester City broke the British transfer record by signing Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish for 100.00 M GBP. On 25 September, Guardiola surpassed Les McDowall as the manager with the most wins in Manchester City history following their 1-0 away victory over Chelsea in the 2021-22 Premier League. On 22 May 2022, Manchester City clinched the Premier League title with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on the final day. This marked Guardiola's fourth league title with the club, placing him second on the list of managers with the most Premier League titles.

The 2022-23 season proved to be a golden era for Manchester City. The club secured their third consecutive Premier League title, and fifth under Guardiola. On 23 November 2022, Guardiola signed a new two-year contract with Manchester City, extending his stay until summer 2025. On 3 June 2023, the club won their second FA Cup under Guardiola, defeating rivals Manchester United 2-1 in the final to achieve another domestic double. The pinnacle of the season arrived on 10 June 2023, when Guardiola led the club to their first ever UEFA Champions League title, and his personal third, with a 1-0 win against Inter Milan in the final. This historic victory completed their second continental treble.

On 16 August 2023, Guardiola won a record-equaling fourth UEFA Super Cup title, also becoming the first manager to win the trophy with three different clubs, as Manchester City defeated Sevilla 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. On 22 December, Guardiola guided City to their first FIFA Club World Cup trophy, beating Fluminense 4-0 in the final. This made Manchester City the first English club to win five major titles in a single calendar year. With this achievement, Guardiola became the first manager in history to win four FIFA Club World Cup titles. Following this historic victory, Guardiola stated that he "had the feeling... would close the chapter, we won all the titles, there's nothing else to win. I had a feeling the job was done, it was over."

Manchester City's Champions League defense ended in the quarter-finals on 17 April 2024, following a 4-3 loss on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate draw to Real Madrid, whom City had beaten 5-1 in the semi-finals of the previous Champions League. This defeat ended City's hopes of achieving consecutive continental trebles. On 19 May 2024, Manchester City secured their fourth straight Premier League title, finishing with 91 points, two points ahead of Arsenal, after a 3-1 victory over West Ham United on the final day of the season. This made them the first English club to win four consecutive top-flight league titles. A week later, on 25 May 2024, Manchester City lost the FA Cup Final to Manchester United 2-1, ending their chance of a consecutive domestic double.

5.1. Tactics and Philosophy

While much emphasis is placed on his teams retaining possession of the ball and dictating play, with the intent to make the opposing side's defense chase the ball for extended periods, Guardiola's teams are equally recognized for their intense pressing off the ball. His players collectively press and harry the opposition, primarily in the opposition's attacking third, where there is less space and defenders or the goalkeeper might be less adept at dribbling or passing under pressure.

As high pressing became more prevalent in football, Guardiola innovated to counteract it. He utilized goalkeepers and defenders who were comfortable with ball control and capable of both long and short distribution. Goalkeepers like Víctor Valdés, Manuel Neuer, and notably Ederson at Manchester City, often function as sweeper-keepers, rushing off their lines to thwart counter-attacks and building play from the back. Ederson, in particular, routinely executes accurate long balls upfield when City face a high press, sometimes bypassing the entire opposition and creating one-on-one opportunities for his forwards. This tactic compels opposing defenses to cautiously drop deep despite their forward line's high-press, thereby creating valuable space in the midfield.

Guardiola has consistently emphasized his commitment to constantly evolving his tactics. His football education began with the Total Football style under Johan Cruyff, but he was also significantly influenced by his time as a player in Mexico under his friend and manager at Dorados, Juan Manuel Lillo. Guardiola also sought guidance from Marcelo Bielsa to refine his coaching knowledge. His editorials for El Pais during the 2006 FIFA World Cup revealed his deep admiration for possession-based, attacking football, specifically praising Luis Aragonés' Spanish side and Ricardo La Volpe's Mexican side for their approach of playing out from the back, an inspiration Guardiola has frequently cited. He famously argued that recycling possession is a key defensive tactic, even referring to Zinedine Zidane as France's best defender due to his ball retention, a concept that would become synonymous with Guardiola's own teams. Philipp Lahm, who played under Guardiola at Bayern Munich, described his tactics as an "offensive Sacchi," drawing parallels to Arrigo Sacchi's Milan teams of the late 1980s, emphasizing fluid movement, quick recoveries, and ball retention. Lahm noted that Guardiola has evolved his approach to incorporate elements of both attacking and defensive styles, demonstrating his tactical flexibility.

While Guardiola's attacking tactics at Barcelona - characterized by quick passing, ball possession, movement, a high defensive line, and intense pressing - have often been linked to the tiki-taka style, Guardiola himself has publicly rejected this association, even criticizing the system. In 2014, he stated, "I loathe all that passing for the sake of it, all that tiki-taka. It's so much rubbish and has no purpose. You have to pass the ball with a clear intention, with the aim of making it into the opposition's goal. It's not about passing for the sake of it." He has also admitted that he had to adapt his style to the German and English leagues, but maintains that his "football education comes from [Catalunya]" which is inherently possession-based, and distinct from Gegenpressing often associated with managers like Ralf Rangnick and Jürgen Klopp.

Guardiola has been praised for his flexibility as a coach, deploying various formations throughout his career. At Barcelona, he frequently utilized a 4-3-3 formation featuring inverted wingers and attacking full-backs who would overlap to provide width. He also occasionally used a 3-4-3 formation. These tactical setups were later incorporated into his teams at Bayern Munich and Manchester City. In the 3-4-3, defensive midfielders such as Sergio Busquets at Barcelona and Xabi Alonso at Bayern Munich would sometimes drop into the defensive line, similar to Guardiola's own playing role under Cruyff. At Bayern, he famously repurposed full-backs Philipp Lahm and Joshua Kimmich into midfield roles. Guardiola also pioneered the use of a false 9 during his time at Barcelona, primarily deploying Lionel Messi in a central attacking position from which he would drop deep into midfield to create a numerical advantage.

At Manchester City, after experimenting with various formations, he notably implemented a modern version of the 3-2-2-3 formation during the 2022-23 treble-winning season, reminiscent of the historic WM formation. In this system, he deployed center-back John Stones in a hybrid defensive and creative midfield role, which football analysts likened to both the libero and wing-half roles. Guardiola also utilized inverted full-backs who would move into central areas of the pitch. Additionally, his Manchester City side showcased a more physical and direct style than his previous teams, particularly evident in his use of Erling Haaland as a traditional striker.

5.2. Reception and Influence

Considered by pundits as one of the greatest managers of all time, Guardiola's influence extends far beyond the clubs he has managed. His tactical innovations are often linked to the successes of the Spanish and German national teams in the 2010s, both of which featured many first-team players who had been coached by him.

Jürgen Klopp, a contemporary rival, has credited Guardiola with building the toughest teams he has ever faced, remarking: "I could say City are the toughest opponent I've ever had but it wasn't much easier when I faced Pep's Bayern [..] We push each other to insane levels."

However, Guardiola's philosophy has also faced criticism. In 2017, Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini publicly criticized "Guardiolismo," a term he coined for "the Guardiola way." Chiellini expressed his belief that the popularization of possession-based playing styles, associated with Barcelona under Guardiola, and the increasing focus on developing ball-playing defenders from a young age in Italy, had a negative impact on the overall defensive quality of Italian football. He commented: "Guardiolismo has ruined a generation of Italian defenders a bit - now everyone is looking to push up, defenders know how to set the tone of play and they can spread the ball, but they don't know how to mark."

Despite such criticisms, Guardiola's coaching methods have inspired a generation of football professionals. Several of his former players, teammates, and coaching staff members, including Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Luis Enrique, Erik ten Hag, and Mikel Arteta, have gone on to pursue successful coaching careers, frequently citing Guardiola as a major inspiration. His tactical ideas have also influenced managers in other sports, such as rugby, demonstrating the widespread impact of his innovative approach to team management.

6.1. Family and Personal Details

Guardiola was born in Santpedor, Catalonia, to Dolors and Valentí. He has two older sisters and a younger brother, Pere Guardiola, who is a notable football agent. Guardiola identifies as an atheist, though he has humorously remarked about believing in the "existence of God, except in the form of Messi and Maradona," highlighting his reverence for extraordinary football talent.

He met his wife, Cristina Serra, when he was 18 years old. They married on 29 May 2014. Together, they have three children: Maria, Màrius, and Valentina. In early 2025, reports indicated that Serra and Guardiola had separated.

Following his successful but intense tenure as Barcelona's manager, Guardiola took a year-long sabbatical in Manhattan, New York City, stating his intention to decide on his future during this break. Demonstrating his dedication to his professional roles, he studied German for four to five hours daily to prepare for his position as manager of Bayern Munich. In a notable public appearance, Guardiola made a cameo in the popular television series Ted Lasso on 24 May 2023, where his character's Manchester City team played against Ted Lasso's AFC Richmond. Guardiola reportedly enjoys watching the show with his wife and daughter.

6.2. Political Views and Social Engagement

Guardiola is a vocal supporter of the political independence of Catalonia. He has consistently expressed his views on the matter, emphasizing the right to self-determination. In 2015, he confirmed his participation in the pro-independence coalition, Junts pel Sí, for the regional parliamentary election that year, publicly affirming his commitment to the cause.

6.3. Public Scrutiny and Controversies

Guardiola's public profile has also led to scrutiny and involvement in controversies. In October 2021, he was named as one of 13 sports personalities in the Pandora Papers, a major leak published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The documents revealed that Guardiola had an account open in the principality of Andorra until 2012. He utilized a tax amnesty enacted by Mariano Rajoy's conservative government in Spain to regularize his fiscal situation, as he had not previously declared the funds held in that offshore account to the Spanish Tax Agency. This revelation sparked public debate regarding the financial practices of high-profile individuals and their adherence to tax regulations.

7.1. Positive Evaluations

Guardiola's major achievements as both a player and, more notably, as a manager, solidify his place among football's all-time greats. As a player, he was the intellectual heartbeat of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team" at Barcelona, winning their first European Cup and multiple La Liga titles. This foundation of tactical intelligence laid the groundwork for his future coaching philosophy.

As a manager, his contributions to the development of football are undeniable. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of tactical play, popularizing concepts like positional play, high pressing, and the innovative use of players in hybrid roles (e.g., false nines, inverted full-backs, and hybrid center-back/midfielders like John Stones). His teams, particularly his Barcelona side, are often cited as among the greatest club teams in history for their dominance and aesthetic style of play. He is the only manager to win the continental treble twice, a testament to his consistent ability to build and lead historically successful teams. His successive league titles across Spain, Germany, and England demonstrate an unparalleled adaptability and dominance in different footballing cultures. Guardiola has elevated the standard of professional football, demanding technical excellence and tactical discipline, and his widespread influence on aspiring managers is a clear positive mark on the sport.

7.2. Criticism and Debates

Despite his overwhelming success, Guardiola's career has not been without criticism and debates. One recurring point of contention has been his tactical "tinkering" in crucial Champions League matches, particularly at Manchester City, where some believe his unexpected changes have contributed to the team's past European eliminations. The decision to not start a defensive midfielder in the 2021 Champions League final is a frequently cited example of this perceived overthinking.

Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini's criticism regarding "Guardiolismo" and its alleged negative impact on the defensive quality of Italian players highlights a broader debate about the balance between technical development and fundamental defensive skills in modern football. This perspective suggests that while Guardiola champions a beautiful, possession-based game, it may inadvertently de-emphasize traditional defensive marking and toughness.

Furthermore, his managerial success has often been accompanied by significant financial investment in his squads, leading some critics to argue that his achievements are primarily a result of having access to vast transfer budgets. While he has undoubtedly enhanced the players at his disposal, the scale of spending is sometimes used to diminish the perception of his pure coaching genius.

More recently, Manchester City's dip in form in the 2024-25 season, marked by a rare streak of losses and an early Champions League elimination, has led to increased scrutiny, including Guardiola's own public self-criticism about potentially being "the problem." Off the pitch, the revelation of his involvement in the Pandora Papers, concerning an undeclared offshore account, presented a public relations challenge and invited criticism regarding financial transparency, particularly from a center-left perspective which emphasizes accountability and ethical financial practices. These criticisms, while not undermining his achievements, add layers to his complex legacy, prompting debates about the balance between success, financial power, and tactical orthodoxy.

8.1. Player Statistics

International Goals:
Josep Guardiola has scored 5 international goals for Spain.

8.2. Managerial Statistics

Guardiola's managerial career record by team and tenure is detailed below, as of 26 February 2025.

9.1. Player Honours

Barcelona B

• Segunda División B: 1990-91

Barcelona

• La Liga: 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1997-98, 1998-99
• Copa del Rey: 1996-97, 1997-98
• Supercopa de España: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996
• European Cup: 1991-92
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1996-97
• European Super Cup: 1992

Spain U23

• Olympic Games Gold Medal: 1992

9.2. Managerial Honours

Barcelona B

• Tercera División: 2007-08

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
• Copa del Rey: 2008-09, 2011-12
• Supercopa de España: 2009, 2010, 2011
• UEFA Champions League: 2008-09, 2010-11
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011

Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga: 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16
• DFB-Pokal: 2013-14, 2015-16
• UEFA Super Cup: 2013
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2013

Manchester City

• Premier League: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
• FA Cup: 2018-19, 2022-23
• EFL Cup: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21
• FA Community Shield: 2018, 2019, 2024
• UEFA Champions League: 2022-23
• UEFA Super Cup: 2023
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2023

9.3. Individual Awards and Decorations

• Bravo Award: 1992
• Olympics - Spain Best Player: 1992
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2000
• Don Balón Award: 2009, 2010
• Miguel Muñoz Trophy: 2008-09, 2009-10
• Onze d'Or Coach of the Year: 2009, 2011, 2012
• World Soccer Magazine World Manager of the Year: 2009, 2011
• IFFHS World's Best Club Coach: 2009, 2011, 2023
• UEFA Team of the Year Best Coach: 2008-09, 2010-11
• La Liga Coach of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
• FIFA World Coach of the Year: 2011
• Globe Soccer Awards Coach Career Award: 2013
• Globe Soccer Awards Coach of the Century: 2020
• Premier League Manager of the Month: February 2017, September 2017, October 2017, November 2017, December 2017, February 2019, April 2019, January 2021, February 2021, November 2021, December 2021
• Premier League Manager of the Season: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24
• LMA Manager of the Year: 2017-18, 2020-21, 2022-23
• LMA Premier League Manager of the Year: 2017-18, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24
• League Managers Association (LMA) Hall of Fame
• UEFA Men's Coach of the Year: 2022-23
• The Best FIFA Football Coach: 2022-23
• Gold Medal Royal Order of Sports Merit: 2010
• Catalan of the Year Award: 2009