Guardiola to Manage 1,000th Game Against Liverpool

MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola will manage his 1,000th game in a storied career when Manchester City faces Liverpool in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The match marks a significant milestone for Guardiola, who began his managerial journey 18 years ago with Barcelona B. Since then, he has transformed football coaching at several top clubs, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

Guardiola coached his 999th match on Wednesday, leading his team to a victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. He is poised to join an elite group of coaches who have overseen 1,000 matches, being inducted into the League Managers’ Association 1,000 club.

“To reach 1,000 games in management is something very special for me,” Guardiola said on the club’s official website. “When I started managing, I never thought about reaching 1,000 games. You just want to do a good job and see what happens.”

The 54-year-old boasts a win rate of 71.57%, having accrued 715 victories in his coaching career, along with 40 major trophies, including 18 with Manchester City. Guardiola’s teams are known for their attacking style and tactical intelligence, which have often left a lasting impact on the game.

Guardiola’s time at Barcelona saw him win multiple trophies, including the treble in the 2008-09 season. At Bayern Munich, he continued his success with seven honors, including three Bundesliga titles.

Now in his 10th season at Manchester City, Guardiola’s legacy includes leading the club to six Premier League titles and achieving historic feats like accumulating 100 points in a single season.

This weekend’s match against Liverpool is fitting, as they have been a key rival in English football during Guardiola’s tenure. Both clubs have consistently challenged each other at the top, making this milestone match even more significant.