Are Pep Guardiola's Manchester City the greatest side in Premier League history?

[Firebat]

They've just wrapped up their 5th title in 6 years. This feat has been achieved only once before, by Man United 1995-2001.

Guardiola sits 2nd on most PL titles (5) behind Sir Alex (13). But on win-rates of title-winning managers, he sits top:

1. Guardiola - 74%
2. Sir Alex - 65%
3. Klopp - 63%
4. Conte - 63%
...

They occupy 1st and 3rd spot for the most points in a season (100 & 98). They've scored the most goals in a season (106), won the most games (32) in a season twice (tied with Liverpool). Most consecutive PL wins (18, tied with Liverpool). Achieved the biggest gap between 1st and 2nd (18) and the biggest GD in a season (79). We could go on and on.

Not to mention they have done it playing mesmerising football, the philosophy of which has largely revolutionised English football and heavily influenced many teams in the country - most notably Arsenal, Brighton, Burnley.

Guardiola's Man City has dominated the league for 6 years, obliterating almost every record in sight and playing the best football the country has ever seen.

Surely they are the greatest team and manager in PL history?

Discuss and vote.

 

[RexRex]

The richest football clubs win all the titles. Money buys you success in this sport. Sorry to state the obvious.

 

[Firebat]

The richest football clubs win all the titles. Money buys you success in this sport. Sorry to state the obvious.

That's only half true. Money gets you close to success, which is why the big 6 teams are consistently at the top, but it does not get you over the line.

For instance, Man United and Chelsea have outspent Man City since Guardiola's arrival, and have not even been close to a title. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been City's only proper rival for success in that time, and they've spent a lot less than most big 6 clubs. You still need a lot of skill and good decision-making in the people who choose where to spend the money and the manager (Guardiola) who works with the assets day to day.

 

[Firebat]

Pep Guardiola: Manchester City boss named LMA manager of the year

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been named manager of the year by the League Managers Association.

It's the third time Guardiola has collected the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy, voted for by managers across all of the divisions.

The Spaniard, 52, also won the Premier League manager of the year award after his side clinched a third consecutive title and fifth in six seasons.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes won the Women's Super League award.

It was her fourth successive award and sixth in total. Under Hayes, Chelsea clinched a fourth successive WSL title by two points over Manchester United, who they also beat to win the FA Cup for the third time in a row.

Guardiola became only the third manager to win three or more LMA manager of the year awards, matching David Moyes' tally, but still two behind Sir Alex Ferguson.

City face Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final. Victory in that match would set up a chance to win the Treble when they face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on 10 June.

Guardiola said: "It's an incredible honour to get his trophy. We are in the best league in the world and I promise you we will be there next season."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65761930

 

[MenInG]

Have no idea how he does it -

1. Gets the best players
2. Makes them do wonderful things
3. Wins leagues!

 

[Firebat]

Pep Guardiola: Man City's Champions League win was written in the stars

An emotionally drained Pep Guardiola heralded Manchester City's Champions League title as "written in the stars that it belonged to us".

City completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

Having already overhauled Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy and beaten Manchester United to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, victory in Istanbul saw them match the achievement of their city rivals in 1999.

Guardiola was in tears afterwards and a cut an emotional, exhausted figure.

"This trophy is so difficult to win," said Guardiola. It could not be different and we knew it, firstly because they are really good.

"The first half we were so anxious. We could not find the free man, John Stones. But it was a question of being patient. I said at half-time, last time, in Porto, we were 1-0 down, now it's 0-0. We adjusted some things but you have to be lucky in this competition.

" This competition is a coin [toss]. But we were there. I think it was written in the stars this season that it belonged to us and we did it.

"I think we defended a little bit better [than in 2021] in the box. We have four central defenders, proper defenders. Even when we make mistakes, we have the feeling we are solid.

"We didn't make a bad game. A little bit anxious in the first half but in general it was not bad. The momentum started winning the Premier League, then the FA Cup, and now we finish here.

"Winning this competition and the treble is so difficult, and that's why today is not important the way, it's just to do it."

Guardiola has challenged his team "not to disappear" next season as they bid to defend their crowns.

"I don't want us to disappear after one Champions League," he said.

"We have to work harder. There are teams that win the Champions League that disappear - we have to avoid that. Knowing me, that won't happen. It's a big relief for the club, for the institution to win this trophy. Finally people won't ask me if I'm going to win the Champions League or not.

"Winning five Premier Leagues is exceptional but people have said no, you have to win trebles every season to be complete. I'm good but I'm not good enough to win trebles every season. Champions League are so tough. Real Madrid have the ability to do it year in, year out. People pretend the Premier League is nothing. Now we can get credit for the five Premier Leagues.

"To do what we have done in the last six seasons is unbelievable. It's not just the Champions League - it's many, many titles."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...champions-league-win-was-written-in-the-stars

 

[MenInG]

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola plans to leave the club when his contract expires in 2025.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

No. Cheatmode

 

[MenInG]

Greatest or not - seems players leaving....

==

With a treble triumph in the bag, there’s plenty of fear that Manchester City’s dominance of English football may only just be getting started.

However, for a number of their star players, a career peak may be the impetus to finally move on from the Etihad, while some of their teammates have other motives.

Part of manager Pep Guardiola’s ability to end his 12-year wait for another Champions League trophy was a settled team and formation, making his options for the run-in and final against Inter pretty much set in stone, meaning no need for overthinking.

However, his hopes of continuing the stellar 3-2-4-1 hybrid formation that picked up almost every trophy on offer could be knocked by some high-profile departures.

With a number of players’ futures already in doubt, another has been added to the list, with talkSPORT understanding that defender Kyle Walker is wanted by boyhood club Sheffield United.

The Blades are back in the Premier League, and at 33, Walker may be running out of time for a return, with a year left on his current contract.

The rapid full-back is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, and is said to be upset by his diminished role in City’s treble campaign, which saw him left out of the finale in Istanbul.

The departure would certainly be a blow, but with Guardiola seemingly already moving on from Walker, it would be nowhere near as big a loss as two potential midfield goodbyes.

Bernardo Silva, 28, has long been linked with an exit, and was even seen during the bus parade with Jack Grealish who appeared to be begging him to stay.

Grealish isn’t the only teammate who has commented on Silva’s potential departure, but they may struggle to hold on, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly singling him out as Lionel Messi’s replacement.

TalkSports

 

[shaz619]

There is a lot of dirt on the club so innocent until proven guilty to some degree. There’s no denying Pep is a brilliant manager, even with all the resources at your disposal, you need to have a strategy which works.

Personally, in terms of his singular PL victories, as dominating as they have been, I rate them just below Fergie, Klopp, Jose, Wenger and Ranieri

In terms of the character of his team, I would put them on a level playing field of other great sides, the way Arsenal were bullied despite them having a handsome lead just shows their mentality and ability to bounce back, especially with English players

 

[IAJ]

Only Ferguson above him. Rest are nowhere near.

 

[Kianig89]

Chelsea of 1st Mourinho tenure were absolute beast really tough

-----------------Cečh
--Ferreira--Terry--Carvalho----Gallas
---------Makelelé------Tiago
--Duff----Lampard------Robben
---------------Drogba------

Bench : JCole Gudjohnsen Geremi Kezman Cudicini

 

[shaz619]

Pep has always had A* teams, has he ever taken a team like Porto or Roma to glory?

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Pep has always had A* teams, has he ever taken a team like Porto or Roma to glory?

Jose the man. Pep is silver spoon La Masia Kid

 

[Firebat]

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak says doubts over Treble are 'frustrating'

Shadows cast over Manchester City's historic Treble because of Financial Fair Play charges are "frustrating", says chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak.

City are facing 115 Premier League charges for breaching numerous financial regulations.

This season they became the second English team to achieve the Treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup after Manchester United in 1999.

"What these players have achieved this year is incredible," Khaldoon said.

"I hope people focus and judge them for their football and what they're achieving on the pitch and what they're achieving in every competition they're in. That's the reality."

City have been referred to an independent commission for more than 100 alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2018, and manager Pep Guardiola has said he would like matters dealt with immediately.

Speaking in an end-of-year in-house interview, Khaldoon said: "It's very frustrating because it takes so much from the great work that's happening at this club.

"The club as a whole is well run - very well run.

"I can't talk about them (the charges) unfortunately for legal reasons. These are proceedings that take whatever time they take and when we're done, I'll give you my very blunt views. I have very strong views on that, but I am going to be unfortunately very restrained today."

The Premier League has accused City of breaching rules requiring them to provide "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position" - information which covers revenue, including sponsorship income and operating costs.

City, who were also accused of not co-operating with the Premier League investigation, said they were "surprised" by the charges and are supported by a "body of irrefutable evidence".

Khaldoon said the reason behind City's success is their ability to bring in "world-class investors" to create a "commercial machine here that is one of the best in the world".

"We're the number one football brand in the world. These are the facts," he said.

"I wish people can just pause and ask the question and get the facts and then comment."

'You can always top it'
Khaldoon said the Treble is "the most difficult thing to possibly achieve in the world of football".

"It is incredibly incredible, which is why it's only been done once 24 years ago," he said.

Despite that, Khaldoon says the successes of the 2022-23 season can be bettered, starting with City's Super Cup, Club World Cup and Community Shield matches this summer.

"You always can top it because the future is the future and records are records," he said.

"We want to win these and we want to add them to the history of this great club, to the legacy of this great club. Everything we do is setting new records and new standards.

"We're building a legacy for this club, a new modern legacy."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65948362

 

[MenInG]

Struggling a bit M City but will the class eventually shine through?

 

[Amjid Javed]

Struggling a bit M City but will the class eventually shine through?

Normally their home form is impeccable. Last season they drew 1, lost 1 from 19 PL games. The have drawn 2 home games in a row, they rarely drop points at home and in consecutive games even more so.

Man city have been very sloppy defensively in big games, which I'm sure Pep won't be happy about.

Man city though always kick into gear back end of season

 

[aboveandbeyond]

De bruyne and Gundogan gave City real control in midfield. They barely lost possession with them two. For me their loss is irreplaceable. And de bruyne not back in to action until January and even then he will not be match sharp.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Struggling a bit M City but will the class eventually shine through?

Nope. Debryune injury was a Hugh blow, add to the loss of high quality performers in Mahrez and Gundogan.

For me Grealish is way overrated. Doesn't score enough, nor create.