From stunning success across clubs FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, Josep “Pep” Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the best managers of all-time. In this post, we highlight some of his most outstanding wins as the man in charge.
Barcelona, Champions League 2008-09
One year after winning the Tercera División as coach of Barcelona’s B team, “Pep” Guardiola became the coach of the senior side in 2008 and performed similar magic. In his first year with FC Barcelona, he led the Catalan giants to the treble of Champions League, Copa Del Rey, and La Liga. It was Barcelona’s first treble, as Guardiola became the youngest coach in history to win the Champions League trophy.
Barcelona, Champions League 2010-11
In Guardiola’s third year with FC Barcelona, he again faced Premier League side Manchester United in the Champions League final and won 3-1. The trophy completed the Double in 2011, as Guardiola won the La Liga for a second straight season. Guardiola would later say “That was maybe one of the best performances I’ve ever had.”
Barcelona, La Liga Title 2008/09
Barcelona all but secured the 2008/09 La Liga title in a dominant display over arch-rivals Real Madrid in a match on March 2 during the 2008/09 season. In a 21-match unbeaten run in La Liga, they also won Copa Del Rey and the Champions League to complete the Treble.
Barcelona La Liga Title 2009/10
During the 2009-10 title run, Guardiola achieved his 50th victory with the club. He also won the club’s first FIFA Club World Cup champions and became the first manager to beat Real Madrid four times in El Clasico.
Barcelona La Liga Title 2010/11
In the 2010/2011 season, Guardiola won yet another Double during his managerial career at Barcelona. He also beat Real Madrid 5 nil to stretch his El Clasico winning streak to five consecutive matches. However, the sixth game at the Bernabeu finished 1-1. Guardiola also lost the 2011 Copa del Rey to Mourinho’s side. Guardiola responded by defeating Los Blancos in the Champions League before moving on to beat Manchester United in the final.
Barcelona Copa Del Rey, 2008-09 & 2011-12
Guardiola won the Copa Del Rey in his first and last season with the club. Real Madrid had dethroned the Catalan side as La Liga winners that year. Guardiola ended his career with 14 trophies in four seasons in what was arguably one of the best teams ever during the 2010-11 season.
Bayern Munich Bundesliga, 2013–14
The managerial genius of Pep Guardiola continued in his position as head coach of Bayern Munich in 2013. The club won its 23rd title with a victory over Hertha BSC with seven games remaining in the season. However, Guardiola experienced his first defeat at the Bernabéu in losing to Real Madrid in the semifinals in Champions League.
Bayern Munich Bundesliga, 2014–15
Guardiola continued his dominance of the Bundesliga in his second year, winning the league for the second time in a row. He also guided his team to his fourth straight Champions League semifinal, on the way beating Shakhtar Donetsk 7-0 in the second leg and Porto 6-1. However, the run came to an end against his old team Barcelona.
Bayern Munich Bundesliga, 2015–16
Guardiola started the 2015–16 Bundesliga season with ten consecutive wins on his way to winning yet another Bundesliga title. The team also moved through to the Champions League semifinals before the defeat to Atlético Madrid.
DFB-Pokal 2013–14
Pep Guardiola won a German league cup in his inaugural season with the Bavarian side. The team defeated Borussia Dortmund 2–0 in extra time in what was Bayern’s 17th DFB-Pokal title.
DFB-Pokal 2015–16
Pep Guardiola won the DFB-Pokal Final for the second time in his third season and final game for the club. The team defeated Borussia Dortmund 2–0 on penalties, giving Bayern a record-setting 18th DFB-Pokal title.
Manchester City, Premier League 2017-2018
While Guardiola’s first season with Manchester City went trophyless — the first time in his managerial career not to win silverware — he nonetheless won the Premier League the following year earning a league-record 100 points. The team won 32 domestic matches, tied 4, and lost just two.
