A Legacy of Excellence
Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, has praised the impact of Pep Guardiola, the outgoing Manchester City manager, as “one of a kind.” Guardiola’s departure from City was confirmed on Friday, marking the end of a 10-year tenure at the club. The 55-year-old has secured an impressive 20 trophies with City, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory. Before his time at City, Guardiola had successful stints with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
During the announcement of the England World Cup squad, Tuchel highlighted Guardiola’s influence. “The impact he had on every league where he trained, it’s just one of a kind, just one of the very, very, very best,” Tuchel said. “He made a big revolution with the way he played at Barcelona and then he put everything upside down in the German league, and then he comes here and crushes every record. It’s just outstanding. There are no words that can describe this determination and this level of input, it’s just highest, highest level.”
Guardiola’s contributions to City’s success have also been acknowledged by one of the club’s most vocal supporters, Liam Gallagher of Oasis. Gallagher posted on his X account: “He came, he conquered, long live the king. Thank you for the good times, Pep.”
Vincent Kompany, the current manager of Bayern Munich, credits Guardiola for inspiring his coaching career. Kompany served as Guardiola’s first captain at City. “I have my own personality, my own character, but I have to thank Pep for his trust and belief that I could become a coach. We talked a lot about tactics and technique, but it was a gift for me to work with him because of his absolute will to win everything, no matter what.”
“I know that I owe this hunger to become a coach to the years I lived with Pep. I believed in his leadership.”
Hansi Flick, head coach of Guardiola’s former club Barcelona, hailed the Catalan as “the best coach in the world” and expressed hope that he would return to football soon. Flick stated, “Pep is incredible, 10 years at that level. Pep is the best coach in the world. He’s proven it year after year, even when things weren’t going well, he knew how to manage the situation. He always finds a solution to improve, you can see it in the titles he’s won. He’s exceptional. I wish him a good rest, but I hope he comes back because he’s young.”
Unai Emery, the Aston Villa boss, who first faced Guardiola during his time at Valencia, will be in the opposition dugout at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for the City manager’s farewell. Emery said, “It is my honour, my pleasure because he is the best coach in the world, clearly. He is a huge inspiration for other coaches.”
Daniel Farke, the Leeds boss, revealed in February that he had a “pretty close relationship” with Guardiola. Farke praised the Spaniard as the finest manager in the modern era. “In our generation, Pep is definitely the best. There is no manager who has influenced more, coaches and players, the way he has changed the game. He’s only won two cups this season! Not his best, but he’s still at the top and it’s better he leaves when everyone is still singing your name. I think it’s the perfect timing.”
Andoni Iraola, the Bournemouth boss, who is leaving his job in the summer, noted that Guardiola’s coaching style left an impact on clubs throughout the leagues he managed in. “It is massive news because Pep has changed the game. He has done it in different countries, he started in Spain and after went to Germany. He has influenced the leagues where he has been coaching, especially the time at Manchester City, I think he has been phenomenal. (He is) probably the best manager that I have seen and I have played against as a player and a coach. His legacy is there and I wish him all the best for whatever is the next stage.”
