Pep Guardiola was visibly stunned after he found out the amount of Manager of the Month awards Sir Alex Ferguson won during his time as manager of Manchester United.
Guardiola, 54, is already widely regarded as one the best managers in Premier League history, having secured six league titles – including four in a row between 2021 and 2024 - since taking charge of Manchester City in 2016.
Alongside his success in the Premier League, he boasts two FA Cups, four League Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, one Champions League and one Club World Cup with an overall total of 18 trophies during his time at City.
However, he still has a long way to go until he reaches Ferguson’s total of 38 trophies – including 13 Premier Leagues, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues, one European Cup Winners Cup, one Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one Club World Cup – during his 26-year-long spell in charge of United between 1986 and 2013.
And from a personal perspective, Guardiola has a lot of work to do until he boasts an awards list like Ferguson does.
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Ferguson, 83, lifted the Manager of the Month award a record 27 times, while former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sports 15 awards.
Back in January 2022, a reporter informed Guardiola of Ferguson’s impressive record.
“You’ve won 11 now, Pep - only Wenger and Ferguson have won more than you," said the reporter. "So, is that something for you to be proud of?”
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“Be careful, Sir Alex, Arsene… I’m coming,” replied Guardiola before being told about the exact amount Fergie won.
“How many?!” he asked while appearing to be shocked. “Oh my god! Okay… it belongs to him! I will not chase him for sure."
Most Manager of the Month awards
– Sir Bobby Robson – 6 times
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– Nuno Espirito Santo – 6 times
– Sam Allardyce – 6 times
– Rafael Benitez – 7 times
– Mikel Arteta - 7 times
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– Harry Redknapp – 8 times
– Martin O’Neill – 8 times
– Jurgen Klopp – 10 times
– David Moyes – 10 times
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– Pep Guardiola – 14 times
– Arsene Wenger – 15 times
– Sir Alex Ferguson – 27 times
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Champions League
Luke Davies