One of the best coaches in the world for decades, everyone who’s anyone in soccer knows Pep Guardiola has the golden touch.
From La Liga with Barcelona and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, to the Premier League with Manchester City, Guardiola has consistently brought out the best in his squads. He’s a player’s coach who appreciates the game’s nuances, which helps when coaching superstars like Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Kevin De Bruyne. You don’t win nearly as much if you can’t relate to people who can be larger than life.
Not by coincidence, after an 0-0 draw with Atlético Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League Quarterfinals, Guardiola’s Man City (-135 favorites) is in its second consecutive UCL Semifinals. It’ll be the ninth time he makes an appearance in the final four of the illustrious competition.
It’s a mark that might give Guardiola a claim to being the best UCL coach ever.
Man City and Pep Guardiola advance to their 2nd #UCL semifinal in a row.
Guardiola will make his 9th app in the #UCL semis, breaking a tie with Carlo Ancelotti and José Mourinho for most all-time by a coach. pic.twitter.com/m5NpDSxTm9
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 13, 2022
Carlo Ancelotti and José Mourinho — Make way for the new king.
For their work all over Europe, this duo is consistently in the conversation for “greatest soccer coach ever.” That Guardiola surpassed them both now, in his early 50s, no less, is a testament to his greatness.
For more glory, the Sky Blues will take on Real Madrid in a few weeks. Something says Guardiola will have his team plenty prepared.
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