Pep Guardiola - 2025/26

It is absolutely admirable and an aspiration as of how Pep manages to figure out how to build team spirit and to pick his best players and formation in order to win trophies in the end. Now, he has something going again in just about 1 season of backing for a rebuild. I find it interesting how he can sacrifice games early on in the season to gain authority and to understand strenghts/weaknesses. But when it comes to putting it all together when it counts - no better man than Pep to do it.
 
It is absolutely admirable and an aspiration as of how Pep manages to figure out how to build team spirit and to pick his best players and formation in order to win trophies in the end. Now, he has something going again in just about 1 season of backing for a rebuild. I find it interesting how he can sacrifice games early on in the season to gain authority and to understand strenghts/weaknesses. But when it comes to putting it all together when it counts - no better man than Pep to do it.

Not always.

He always tries to shoe horn players loyal to him over a system that's working in big games.

That's how we lost the Real tie and the Chelsea CL final.
 


Donnaruma
Nunes Khusanov Guehi Gvardiol Grimaldo(he gonna buy him a day after)

Rodri Anderson
Semenyo Haaland Cherki

3-2-4-1
 
Not always.

He always tries to shoe horn players loyal to him over a system that's working in big games.

That's how we lost the Real tie and the Chelsea CL final.

That is true. But you have to build a team based on loyalty, and Kevin D Bruyne even said that you would probably not win the Champions League without losing out quite a bit prior to that. So it could be that to win that final trophy is about preservering with a group of players good enough, but not quite there when it comes to experience. The tactical loss on the day can happen, but wouldn't you say that playing players that have something to prove would mean all the difference? It is too easy to be judgemental on result only.
 
Pep is the best domestic manager ever and not a debate, I think he's underachieved in europe though and you have to consider that in discussion. 1 CL since he left barca with the teams he's had is underachievement.

And the exits are specifically his fault a lot of the time, often to weaker sides and too early in the competition. (Monaco,spurs,Lyon. Various less than elite madrid sides and even Chelsea)
 
Pep is the best domestic manager ever and not a debate, I think he's underachieved in europe though and you have to consider that in discussion. 1 CL since he left barca with the teams he's had is underachievement.

And the exits are specifically his fault a lot of the time, often to weaker sides and too early in the competition. (Monaco,spurs,Lyon. Various less than elite madrid sides and even Chelsea)
What's your point ?
 
Pep is the best domestic manager ever and not a debate, I think he's underachieved in europe though and you have to consider that in discussion. 1 CL since he left barca with the teams he's had is underachievement.

And the exits are specifically his fault a lot of the time, often to weaker sides and too early in the competition. (Monaco,spurs,Lyon. Various less than elite madrid sides and even Chelsea)
His City side did deserve more CLs and they also deserved more FA Cups but that's what happens in cup competitions: you are at the mercy of luck, injuries and fixture congestions, especailly when competing for 3-4 trophies at a time.

He's won the champions league 3 times. You can 't be a great manager in the leage but not in one particular competition. You either are or you aren't.
 
Pep is the best domestic manager ever and not a debate, I think he's underachieved in europe though and you have to consider that in discussion. 1 CL since he left barca with the teams he's had is underachievement.

And the exits are specifically his fault a lot of the time, often to weaker sides and too early in the competition. (Monaco,spurs,Lyon. Various less than elite madrid sides and even Chelsea)
Ancelotti and Zidane having more CLs than him doesn't make them better managers. Most of their wins come down to individual miracle moments, having an outrageous squad that stayed consistent for quite a long time or just Spain being considerably easier than England domestically.
 
Ancelotti and Zidane having more CLs than him doesn't make them better managers. Most of their wins come down to individual miracle moments, having an outrageous squad that stayed consistent for quite a long time or just Spain being considerably easier than England domestically.

Ancelotti - 6 league titles, 4 cups (FA Cup or equivalent), 5 CLs (30 seasons give or take)
Zidane - 2 league titles, 3 CLs (just over 4 and a half seasons)
Pep - 12 league titles, 6 cups, 3 CLs (in his 17th season)

Real Madrid have shown it's not always the best team that wins the CL. I think Pep's style hasn't translated particularly well at times in Europe and his approach when the away goal was in place wasn't right either - he was often cautious away and open at home when the reverse was often more beneficial.

We could have won at least one more, and probably should have. But there aren't many who win the CL and league title in the same season, particularly in England, because of the intensity you need to show week in week out.
 
Ancelotti - 6 league titles, 4 cups (FA Cup or equivalent), 5 CLs (30 seasons give or take)
Zidane - 2 league titles, 3 CLs (just over 4 and a half seasons)
Pep - 12 league titles, 6 cups, 3 CLs (in his 17th season)

Real Madrid have shown it's not always the best team that wins the CL. I think Pep's style hasn't translated particularly well at times in Europe and his approach when the away goal was in place wasn't right either - he was often cautious away and open at home when the reverse was often more beneficial.

We could have won at least one more, and probably should have. But there aren't many who win the CL and league title in the same season, particularly in England, because of the intensity you need to show week in week out.
I can see the point that he should've done better in Europe, but I think people are too eager to to point fingers at Pep and ignore that there were some big individual errors on the pitch as well that resulted in us falling short (Sterling miss vs. Lyon, Ederson and defense for Havertz's goal vs Chelsea as examples).
 
I can see the point that he should've done better in Europe, but I think people are too eager to to point fingers at Pep and ignore that there were some big individual errors on the pitch as well that resulted in us falling short (Sterling miss vs. Lyon, Ederson and defense for Havertz's goal vs Chelsea as examples).

People thought we'd thrown the league cup final a couple of weeks ago when they saw the lineup - we won comfortably. Pep often picks unexpected teams and it mostly works. Would we have won if Rodri or Ferny started? Possibly, but it was no guarantee. De Bruyne coming off injured was a huge blow to our chances. Chelsea had lost the FA Cup final too so would have been more motivated to win the CL, and it was a well drilled team defensively. We'd failed to beat them twice in the run up, with Pep experimenting. I'm sure he'd do things differently, but it was our first final and nerves impacted our performance as well. We were pretty poor against Inter with a side most people were comfortable with (Walker/Akanji being the only question mark).
 
People thought we'd thrown the league cup final a couple of weeks ago when they saw the lineup - we won comfortably. Pep often picks unexpected teams and it mostly works. Would we have won if Rodri or Ferny started? Possibly, but it was no guarantee. De Bruyne coming off injured was a huge blow to our chances. Chelsea had lost the FA Cup final too so would have been more motivated to win the CL, and it was a well drilled team defensively. We'd failed to beat them twice in the run up, with Pep experimenting. I'm sure he'd do things differently, but it was our first final and nerves impacted our performance as well. We were pretty poor against Inter with a side most people were comfortable with (Walker/Akanji being the only question mark).
Would have been different if Lahoz had any integrity and professionalism.We had just embarrassed UEFA at CAS and they wanted revenge, yes Pep should have played a DM but the Rudiger assault and Reece handball are gamechangers in match of few chances.
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top