However, he would need to stay around for nearly that long to match one managerial record: that of Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferguson won 13 Premier Leagues, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions Leagues during his time at Manchester United. He also accumulated three Scottish league titles, four Scottish Cups, and the European Cup Winners Cup during his tenure at Aberdeen. As Guardiola continues to dominate the English game in a way not seen since Ferguson's peak, comparisons between the two will inevitably be made: who is better, who is smarter, who is the ultimate champion? This is what football fans do: we have an unstoppable urge to determine who is the best.
To establish the title of the greatest ever, it is difficult to know where to begin, given the magnitude of both men's achievements. In terms of head-to-head results, Guardiola takes the crown. The teams managed by both men met only twice, naturally in the Champions League final. On both occasions, Guardiola's Barcelona emerged victorious. In fact, Ferguson himself considered them to be the best side he had ever encountered, given their utter dominance. Although, to be fair, if you or I were in charge of a team featuring Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, and Busquets, we might stand a chance.
What sets both men apart from their peers is their ability to establish a winning dynasty. Ferguson accomplished this against all odds at Aberdeen before moving to Manchester. Guardiola has similarly achieved it twice, first making Barcelona the dominant force in Spain and then transforming Manchester City into a trophy-winning machine. There was also a successful stint at Bayern Munich, adorned with silverware.
In 1980, Ferguson led Aberdeen to their first title in 25 years. As any Manchester United fan knows, the wait was even longer at Old Trafford: 26 years. Guardiola has never faced the kind of rebuilding project that Ferguson undertook. When he arrived at Manchester City, the Abu Dhabi revolution was already in full swing, resulting in two titles under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini. Ferguson took charge of a mess, whereas Guardiola inherited the most financially endowed football club in history. This is not to diminish Guardiola's transformation of City, turning them into purveyors of beautiful, winning football through the force of his own personality. He has acquired exceptional players and elevated their performances. The likes of Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne (signed under Pellegrini), John Stones, and Nathan Ake have all reached new heights under his guidance.
Here lies the most notable similarity: both men imposed their will on their respective clubs in a way that few in the history of the game can match. They achieved this in different ways, with Ferguson keen to be involved in every aspect of the club's operation, while Guardiola delegated those responsibilities to others, focusing his attention on what happens on the pitch. Nevertheless, both established absolute control. Ferguson, ruthlessly, let go of players such as Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Roy Keane when he deemed them no longer essential to his system, regardless of their abilities. Guardiola operates similarly. Many believed Joao Cancelo was a vital component of last season's title-winning side, but when the Portuguese questioned the manager's selection and demanded more playing time, he was swiftly discarded without hesitation. And the team has not suffered as a result.
Despite Ferguson's apparent omnipotence, he was also a shrewd delegator. While he had the final say on tactics, much of the work on the training ground was carried out by his assistants. The likes of Brian Kidd, Carlos Queiroz, Steve McClaren, and Rene Meulensteen significantly influenced what transpired on the pitch. Guardiola, on the other hand, is deeply intrigued by tactical innovation, constantly micromanaging new approaches and methodologies. The recent evolution of Stones's game is just one example of his inventiveness.
This is the challenge when determining who is better: both are unparalleled in their own ways. However, there is one aspect where Ferguson holds the advantage: in 1999, he achieved the Treble. Guardiola has secured a clean sweep of domestic trophies with City but has so far struggled to replicate his Champions League success at Barcelona. As you may have heard, he has a chance to match Ferguson's feat this season. Perhaps if Guardiola accomplishes that, in addition to his already remarkable achievements, we will be able to make a fair comparison.
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