Guardiola’s illustrious career in the dugout boasts an impressive tally of 35 titles, surpassing Mircea Lucescu’s previous record of 34.
At just 52 years old, Guardiola still has ample time to challenge Sir Alex Ferguson’s record
Pep Guardiola has solidified his place in football history as both a formidable player and one of the greatest coaches of all time. With his latest triumph, securing his third Champions League title, the Santpedor-born coach has now ascended to the pinnacle of managers with the most titles in football history. Guardiola’s illustrious career in the dugout boasts an impressive tally of 35 titles, surpassing Mircea Lucescu’s previous record of 34. While some statisticians may argue for an equal count between Guardiola and Lucescu, discounting Lucescu’s Serie B victory with Brescia in 1991/92. Guardiola’s latest feat propels him into another stratosphere as a manager.
Only Sir Alex Ferguson’s seemingly insurmountable record of 49 trophies during his tenure with Aberdeen and Manchester United remains ahead of Guardiola in terms of sheer quantity. However, at just 52 years old, Guardiola still has ample time to challenge Ferguson’s record, making it an attainable goal.
Pep now shares the distinction of being the coach with the most Champions League titles alongside the best coaches
While some may contend that the quality of titles holds equal importance to their quantity, with coaches like Carlo Ancelotti boasting four Champions League victories to his name, it is undeniable that Guardiola’s consistent success merits recognition. Furthermore, Guardiola now shares the distinction of being the coach with the most Champions League titles alongside Bob Paisley (Liverpool, 1977, 1978, and 1981) and Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid, 2016, 2017, and 2018). Ancelotti, with four titles (Milan 2003 and 2007, Real Madrid 2014 and 2022), remains the sole record holder in this regard.
Guardiola’s triumph also solidifies his status as the sixth coach to win the Champions League with two different teams, joining the ranks of Ernst Happel (Feyenoord and Hamburg), Ottmar Hitzfeld (Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich), Jose Mourinho (Porto and Inter Milan), Juup Heynckes (Real Madrid and Bayern Munich), Ancelotti (Milan and Real Madrid), and Guardiola himself (Barcelona and Manchester City).
The Champions League title had eluded Guardiola since the 2010/11 season
Moreover, Guardiola’s recent victory marked his second treble in history, with his first achieved during his tenure at Barcelona in the 2008/09 season. Clinching the Premier League, FA Cup, and the Champions League in the current campaign further cements his legacy as one of football’s great figures. The Champions League title had eluded Guardiola since the 2010/11 season, when his Barcelona side soared to victory at Wembley with the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and Villa. This competition is the pinnacle of achievement for the very best in the sport, and Guardiola has now emerged triumphant on three occasions.
While it is difficult to definitively declare Guardiola as the greatest coach in the history of football, his accomplishments and contributions to the game cannot be understated. His tactical acumen, dedication, and ability to consistently lead teams to success have solidified his place among the coaching elite. As Guardiola continues to make his mark on the sport, it is clear that his legacy will endure for generations to come.