Timeless Pep Guardiola shows magic remains as Manchester City sparkle in the rain
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A 3-0 win over an outclassed Liverpool proved talk of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola's demise was premature.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – It felt a long way from Barcelona as a rain-soaked Pep Guardiola stood under an autumnal Manchester downpour on Nov 9, but there was no place he would rather be as the 1,000th game of his managerial career underlined that the magic still remains.
They said that in the 2024-25 season the Catalan, who made his name as a player and then set about becoming one of the world’s most decorated coaches in the city next to the Mediterranean, had lost his sparkle as Manchester City were dethroned.
But a 3-0 win over an outclassed Liverpool
Arsenal still lead the table by four points but their manager Mikel Arteta, Guardiola’s former assistant at City, might not be sitting quite as comfortably now.
With the likes of serial trophy winners Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan gone and newcomers struggling to find their feet, it has felt like City have been stuck in transition since winning the last of their six Premier League titles under Guardiola in 2023-24.
Even within this 2025-26 season, they lost two of their opening three league games but since then, City have won 11 of their last 14 games in all competitions, the only setback a defeat by Aston Villa.
It was not just the scoreline on Nov 9 as Guardiola enjoyed a 716th victory as a manager.
The way they dominated the reigning champions was impressive. Erling Haaland looked frighteningly good, Phil Foden showed his spark is back and Jeremy Doku was devastating at times, sealing the three points with a majestic third goal.
City managed this all without midfield maestro Rodri, who returns after the international break. No wonder Guardiola was a happy man as he soaked up the cheers of the City faithful.
“Just want to say thank you to the players, backroom staff to give me that present,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach said. “Proud to do it here in Manchester with my City. Now rest and come back with the energy.”
City captain Ruben Dias responded, saying: “Obviously very happy for him (Guardiola). We live for games like this. There is no higher level than this kind of level.
“The differences of everyone ready to show up and ready to sacrifice for the guy next to him. I remember before I came to this club and watching this club – these were the details that made them win so much.
“This is not new, this has been going on for a while now. We have been talking about a rebuild since last season. Of course, there are new faces because of the ones that left, but that quality stays the same and we keep on pushing.”
Guardiola has won 12 league titles and three Champions Leagues and a sackful of other silverware since starting out as a coach of Barcelona’s second string in 2007. After his milestone match on Nov 9, he said those early days laid the groundwork for the dynasties he has built in Catalonia, Bavaria and now in Manchester.
“I think my period at Barcelona B is the foundation for many things,” the 54-year-old said.
“To realise myself that I was able to do it and learn a lot. I will never forget the guys in that first season. For me, it has been so special to make 1,000 games in front of my family and especially against Liverpool.”
Guardiola said he had a “good vibe” about the current 2025-26 season and should they maintain the consistency they are now showing, they will be there or thereabouts next spring. If anyone knows how to navigate the way to glory, it is Guardiola and he was quick to remind people of that on the weekend.
“The team that wins the Premier League is when every month the team is growing, and you see the feeling the team grows and grows and grows,” he told reporters.
“Then you arrive at the end fighting for the title. It’s not the team in September or October at the top. This was an important week, this one.
“I said to the guys ‘don’t do it today because Arsenal didn’t win (on Nov 8)’. Do it for ourselves against the champions of England. Show them we are able to be there.
“Today, I think we proved it.” REUTERS, AFP
