10 Managers with the Best Record Against Pep Guardiola

10 Managers with the Best Record Against Pep Guardiola

By Admin

Pep Guardiola's managerial legacy is nothing short of extraordinary. Widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, he has revolutionized modern football, introducing a tactical sophistication that few can rival. From his iconic “tiki-taka” philosophy at Barcelona to his fluid, dominant style at Manchester City, Guardiola has consistently raised the bar. 

Yet, even the best in the world have faced tough opposition. Despite his dominance, a select group of managers have found a way to beat him on the biggest stages. 

Here are the ten managers who have enjoyed notable success against Pep Guardiola.

10. Manuel Pellegrini - 2 Wins

Pep’s predecessor at Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini, edges his way onto the list with two wins over Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in back-to-back Champions League seasons. While Pellegrini’s tenure at City laid the groundwork for their modern dominance, his most memorable battles with Pep came in Europe. In two thrilling 3-2 comeback victories in the group stages, Pellegrini's City snatched wins at the Allianz Arena, showcasing the resilience that was a hallmark of his tenure. These victories, though largely forgotten in the context of group stage action, were tactical triumphs for Pellegrini against a peak Bayern side.

9. Carlo Ancelotti - 3 Wins

Ancelotti, the master of European competition, has always thrived in the high-stakes pressure of the Champions League, and his victories over Guardiola are some of his finest. Most notably, his Real Madrid side dismantled Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in the 2013/14 UCL semi-finals with a 5-0 aggregate win. Madrid's lethal counter-attacks exposed vulnerabilities in Pep's high-press system, and it was one of the rare moments where Guardiola looked out of ideas. More recently, Ancelotti's Real Madrid completed a stunning comeback to eliminate Manchester City in the 2021/22 Champions League, further solidifying his edge over the Catalan.

8. Thomas Tuchel - 3 Wins

Thomas Tuchel’s tactical evolution reached its zenith during his time at Chelsea, and few matches highlight this better than the 2021 UEFA Champions League final. Guardiola’s decision to forego a traditional holding midfielder was exploited by Tuchel’s relentless, high-energy midfield. The result? A 1-0 victory that handed Chelsea the European crown. Tuchel’s earlier wins against Pep in the FA Cup semi-final and a Premier League fixture that same season only cemented his credentials as a manager capable of outfoxing the tactical genius of Guardiola.

7. Mikel Arteta - 3 Wins

Having learned the ropes under Guardiola as his assistant at Manchester City, Mikel Arteta has built Arsenal into a team that mirrors Pep's philosophy but with its own distinct identity. Arteta's three wins over Guardiola are significant not only for their timing but for the silverware they helped deliver to Arsenal. The first came in the 2020 FA Cup semi-final, where Arteta’s pragmatic, disciplined approach earned the Gunners a spot in the final. Two more wins, including a dramatic victory in the 2023 Community Shield, have shown that Arteta, once the student, is capable of beating his former mentor.

6. Arsène Wenger - 3 Wins

Wenger’s three victories over Guardiola came at critical moments, marking him as one of the few managers to beat Pep while he was at three different clubs. His first win was a memorable comeback in the 2010/11 Champions League, where Andriy Arshavin scored a dramatic winner for Arsenal against Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona. Later, Wenger engineered a gritty victory against Bayern Munich in 2015, and capped off his success by leading Arsenal past Pep’s Manchester City in the 2017 FA Cup semi-final. Wenger's wins against Guardiola are as varied as they are impressive, showing the Frenchman’s tactical adaptability.

5. Antonio Conte - 4 Wins

Antonio Conte boasts a rare positive record against Guardiola, having won four of their seven meetings. His most notable success came during his title-winning season with Chelsea in 2016/17, where his tactical 3-4-3 system overwhelmed Guardiola’s City both home and away. Conte's teams have consistently troubled Pep’s high-possession approach with well-organized, aggressive counter-attacks. His ability to drill his teams with precise tactical setups makes him one of Guardiola’s toughest adversaries, with victories against City coming even during his stint at Tottenham Hotspur.

4. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 4 Wins

Perhaps one of the most surprising names on this list, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer holds a commendable record against Guardiola with four wins, including some memorable Manchester derby triumphs. Solskjaer’s United teams often exploited City’s high defensive line, using Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial’s pace to devastating effect. In one of the last matches before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, Solskjaer orchestrated a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford, showcasing his ability to outmaneuver Guardiola on occasion. His pragmatic approach, often built around absorbing pressure and hitting on the break, proved effective in unsettling Guardiola's City.

3. Mauricio Pochettino - 4 Wins

Mauricio Pochettino’s rivalry with Guardiola stretches back to his time managing Espanyol, where he famously led them to a rare victory over Pep’s Barcelona in 2009. However, it was his Tottenham side that delivered perhaps the most dramatic blow to Guardiola’s City. In the 2018/19 Champions League quarter-finals, Spurs triumphed in a chaotic second leg where VAR played a decisive role, as a controversial Fernando Llorente goal sent City crashing out. Pochettino’s tactical acumen and his ability to motivate his sides for big European nights have led to some unforgettable clashes with Pep.

2. José Mourinho - 7 Wins

José Mourinho’s rivalry with Guardiola is one of the most intense and storied in football history. Their battles, which began during their time in La Liga, have often been filled with drama and controversy. Mourinho’s Inter famously knocked out Guardiola’s Barcelona en route to a historic treble in 2010, employing a masterclass in defensive organization and counter-attacking football. Mourinho’s Manchester United also derailed City’s title celebrations in 2018 with a 3-2 comeback win at the Etihad. With seven victories, Mourinho remains one of the few managers who has consistently troubled Guardiola.

1. Jürgen Klopp - 12 Wins

No manager has beaten Guardiola more than Jürgen Klopp, with 12 victories across their long-standing rivalry in both the Bundesliga and Premier League. Klopp’s “gegenpressing” philosophy has often been Guardiola’s kryptonite, disrupting his meticulously crafted possession-based style. From Borussia Dortmund’s triumphs over Bayern Munich to Liverpool’s memorable 4-3 win over City in 2018, Klopp’s high-octane football has frequently overwhelmed Pep’s teams. Their rivalry has defined the modern era of the Premier League, with both managers pushing each other to new heights.

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