The GOAT?! – Pep Guardiola has been voted best manager on the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) FC 100. The full list of the considered Top Ten Managers are:
1. Pep GUARDIOLA, Man City
2. Carlo ANCELOTTI, Real Madrid
3. Luciano SPALLETTI, Napoli
4. Mikel ARTETA, Arsenal
5. Jurgen KLOPP, Liverpool
6. Lionel SCALONI, Argentina
7. Erik TEN HAG, Man United
8. Roberto DE ZERBI, Brighton & Hove Albion
9. Simone INZAGHI, Inter Milan
10. XAVI, Barcelona
According to ESPN, key voters, Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discussed Pep Guardiola being voted the best manager on the ESPN FC 100.
Among the top ten managers considered on the list, one may ask why Man City’s Pep Guardiola is considered the best right now, and might even be the greatest of all time (GOAT).
Basically, managers are judged based on three criteria, namely:
1. The style of football that they are playing.
2. The success that they have, not just in the season but in the past, and how much success you think or you expect from them going forward.
3. Their ability to improve players individually, collectively is the style of football, but individually.
The Top 10 Managers considered are very strong for all the reasons given, and they have had their part in all the 3 aforementioned criteria. Some have not won anything, some have won a domestic cup, some two domestic cups, trebles, and some have won the world cup.
These managers have their part in all three criteria stated. Some more than others, some just one more opportunity than others, but still, that’s why they are the best.
Obviously, Pep Guardiola is outstanding number one presently. This time, there is no criticism possible, no doubts, no arguments. Guardiola completed the second treble of his managerial career, at an entirely different club than his first, and this achievement, as well as the brilliant football played by his team all season, surpasses everything.
Notably, the transformation of John Stones, the record-breaking season of Erling Haaland, and the resurrection of Manuel Akanji: it’s all Guardiola. It is pertinent to state that there was so much more, too. For some, Pep Guardiola was the greatest manager of all time even prior to this incredible season. While for many, he is now for sure, ahead of Arrigo Sacchi, Johan Cruyff, Sir Alex Ferguson, Ancelotti, and all the others. A very special season for a very special manager indeed.
However, Pep Guardiola – Expectations for 2023-24 may include: What more can he do? Another treble? A quadruple if he adds the League Cup to the rest? An invincible Premier League season? More goals scored and fewer conceded? Even more control of matches? A new tactical innovation? Each of these could well happen for Guardiola and Manchester City. Now that the weight of the Champions League trophy has been lifted off his shoulders, now that the pressure is lessened, he will aim really high, as he always does.
Pep Guardiola has long surpassed Sir Alex Ferguson, Mircea Lucescu, Jose Mourinho, and Carlo Ancelotti to become the most decorated Manager in the 21st century. Guardiola is the second manager to win the treble of Premier.
Below are the trophies the 52-year-old Spaniard won with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City:
➡️Barcelona (14 trophies between 2008 and 2012)
* LaLiga: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
* Champions League: 2008–09, 2010–11
* Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12
* Spanish Supercup: 2009, 2010, 2011
* UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011
* FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011
➡️ Bayern Munich (7 trophies from 2013 to 2016)
* Bundesliga: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
* DFB Pokal: 2013–14, 2015–16
* UEFA Super Cup: 2013
* FIFA Club World Cup: 2013
➡️ Manchester City (14 trophies since 2016)
* Premier League: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
* FA Cup: 2018–19, 2022–23
* Champions League: 2022-23
* League Cup: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
* Community Shield: 2018, 2019
