Sir Alex Ferguson congratulates Pep Guardiola on milestone match
Sir Alex Ferguson has congratulated Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola ahead of his 1,000th match as a manager, reports BritPanorama.
Guardiola will reach this landmark when City, whom he has led to six Premier League titles and Champions League success, host Liverpool on Sunday.
Speaking on behalf of the League Managers Association, the former Manchester United manager expressed his delight: “Pep! I am absolutely delighted to welcome you to join the prestigious LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club.” He went on to commend Guardiola’s “deep love and passion for the game,” noting the indelible impact he has had across the global football landscape.
The legendary manager further remarked, “Reaching 1,000 matches and achieving such longevity in football is a landmark that can never be underestimated. To continue to deliver league, Champions League, and domestic cup titles in three of Europe’s most competitive leagues is outstanding.” Ferguson supervised over 2,000 games in his illustrious career.
Guardiola began his managerial journey with Barcelona B, before moving to the main Barcelona squad, then Bayern Munich, and joining Manchester City in 2016. To date, he has won 715 of his 999 matches played.
In anticipation of the occasion, Guardiola stated, “I am so proud to be reaching 1,000 games as a manager, which has always been a special ambition for me.” LMA chief executive Richard Bevan praised Guardiola’s commitment to excellence and his influence in shaping the game across Europe.
Rival boss Mikel Arteta, who served as Guardiola’s assistant for three-and-a-half years before taking over at Arsenal in 2019, described Guardiola as “the most important person in my football career,” acknowledging the significance of his achievements. Arteta reflected on Guardiola’s legacy, saying, “What a number, what a career,” and expressed his aspiration to emulate Guardiola’s success as a manager.
Currently, Manchester City holds second place in the Premier League, six points behind league leaders Arsenal, with Liverpool closely trailing by just one point. The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City has intensified in recent years, marked by fierce title competitions and strategic clashes of their elite managers, Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.
As Guardiola approaches this milestone, the anticipation is palpable. His journey reflects not only personal ambition but also the evolution of modern football, symbolizing a blend of tactical innovation and managerial resilience.
