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.
As one of the greatest managers in modern football, the legendary tactician has thus entered the Hall of Fame of 1000-game coaches. With 715 wins in 999 matches so far, Guardiola has not only established himself as a trophy collector but also consistently adhered to the philosophy of beautiful football.
"Coaching 1000 games means a great deal to me," he said emotionally. “When I first took charge of Barcelona B, I never dreamed of reaching this milestone. I just wanted to do my job diligently, play football the right way, and wait for success. I’ve been fortunate to manage three top giants. At Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, I’ve received unreserved support, allowing me to focus wholeheartedly on pursuing excellence.”
“Looking back on my career, all the trophies I’ve won... To be honest, I never imagined winning so frequently, but this journey has been truly wonderful, and I wouldn’t change a single moment of it. There are too many people to thank, but I want to express my gratitude to every colleague I’ve worked with over the past 18 years, as well as my family who has always supported me unconditionally.”
Guardiola’s coaching career has yielded 40 major trophies, averaging one honor every 25 games. Among them, he has won 18 trophies in 549 matches with Manchester City, including 6 Premier League titles. He achieved a historic four consecutive
Premier League titles, marking the first time a club has won England’s top-flight league four times in a row. His feat of winning the title with 100 points in his first championship season remains a league benchmark to this day.
On the international stage, Guardiola led Manchester City to new heights—claiming their first Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup titles. In domestic cup competitions, he has won 2 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, and 3 Community Shields. The treble in the 2022/23 season further cemented Manchester City’s status as one of only nine European clubs to achieve the treble.
Even before joining Manchester City in 2016, Guardiola had already established himself as an all-time great with his stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. After coaching Barcelona B in the 2007/08 season, he took over the first-team reins at the Camp Nou, leading the club to 14 trophies in four years, including 3 La Liga titles and 2 Champions League trophies. He recorded 179 wins in 247 first-team matches, following 28 wins in 42 games with Barcelona B.
Beyond his brilliant results, his fluid style of play has captivated global attention. After a one-year sabbatical, he took charge of Bayern Munich, securing 121 wins in 161 matches over three years and adding 7 more trophies to his collection.
Now in his 10th season with Manchester City, Guardiola will celebrate his 1000th game milestone in this weekend’s blockbuster clash. The opponent is precisely Liverpool—a long-standing rival throughout his time in England, adding a fateful sense of ceremony to this landmark match.
