The League Managers’ Association (LMA) will recognise Pep Guardiola’s illustrious 18-year career in coaching following this weekend’s Premier League showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool.As Guardiola prepares to face one of his fiercest rivals, his latest milestone will highlight how far he has come since his managerial journey began. The Catalan tactician, who first stepped into management with Barcelona B in 2007, has since redefined modern football across three of Europe’s most dominant clubs.
A Historic Milestone
Guardiola’s longevity and success at the Etihad Stadium have placed him among the most decorated managers in English football history. Having guided City to a historic Treble in 2023 and multiple Premier League titles since 2018, he now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with icons such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger.
According to MailSport, Pep Guardiola is set to become only the 39th post-war manager to receive this prestigious recognition, following in the footsteps of Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Sir Matt Busby.
Guardiola’s Reflections
Speaking with Manchester City’s official website, Guardiola expressed gratitude for the upcoming honour:
“To reach 1,000 games in management is something very special for me. When I started managing Barcelona B all those years ago, I never thought for one second about reaching 1,000 games. You just want to do a good job, play football the right way and see what happens.”
He added, “I have been so fortunate in my career to work for three amazing clubs. At Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, I have had full support. It means I have been able to work without distraction and be the best manager I can be. I am very, very proud of my career.”
1,000th Game and LMA Induction
The upcoming clash with Liverpool will mark the 1,000th game of Guardiola’s managerial career — a monumental achievement spanning Barcelona B, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.
As reported by MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Guardiola will be formally inducted into the LMA’s 1000 Club after Sunday’s match. Over his 999 games so far, the 54-year-old has collected an astonishing 37 major trophies in addition to Community Shield triumphs — a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.
“The trophies I have won… honestly, I never imagined I would win so often, but it has been beautiful. I would not change a single moment. There are too many people to name individually, but I want to thank everyone I have worked with in the last 18 years. And I also want to thank my family, who support me unconditionally in everything I do.”
Legacy and the Future
As Manchester City continue to evolve under Guardiola’s refreshed leadership structure — including Bernardo Silva’s appointment as captain — this milestone serves as both a personal and institutional symbol of stability.
With his contract running until the summer of 2027, Guardiola has hinted that he may extend his stay, admitting that he still feels “comfortable” and “energised” by City’s ongoing project.
This weekend’s induction into the LMA 1000 Club cements Pep Guardiola’s place among the greats of British football management and marks another proud moment in an extraordinary career that continues to shape the future of the game.
