Zinedine Zidane Settled Pep Guardiola vs Alex Ferguson Debate as 'Best' Manager Named

Fans have been debating who the greatest manager of all time for years, with many suggesting that it is a choice between Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

Guardiola has had a sensational career across Europe, helping Barcelona win three La Liga victories as well as two UEFA Champions Leagues.

He followed that up by winning three Bundesliga crowns in a row with Bayern Munich before turning his attention to the Premier League.

Since taking over at the Etihad, he has guided City to their first-ever Champions League triumph as well as six Premier League titles.

In contrast, Ferguson won the majority of his trophies with just one club.

After winning three Scottish Premier Leagues with Aberdeen, he moved to Old Trafford, where he won the Premier League 13 times.

The Scot also lifted the UEFA Champions League twice during his time with The Red Devils.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has previously had his say on the debate.

The three-time UEFA Champions League-winning manager believes that Guardiola has proven that he is the best during his managerial spells with Barcelona, Bayern and City.

Alex Ferguson lifting the Premier League trophy

“He has always proven [to be the best]: first at Barcelona, then Munich, now in Manchester,” Zidane told The Guardian in 2020.

“I’m not going to tell you what he told me.

“But it was very, very interesting.

“I was able to go and learn from him.

"He was very honest with us.

“He told me lots of things, gave me advice, we talked a lot, although we all do things differently.”

After a sensational career as a player, Zidane impressed during two spells as Real Madrid manager.

Pep Guardiola taking charge of Manchester City

The first spell spanned from 2016 to 2018, and he followed that up with a second stint in charge between 2019 and 2021.

The Frenchman also won two La Liga titles to go along with his Champions League triumphs.

Madrid has not taken on another managerial role since leaving Los Blancos, though he has been linked with several jobs in the press, including Ferguson’s former side, Manchester United.

Ferguson retired from management in 2013.