TNT Sports analyst Michael Owen holds the view that Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Manchester City’s success, might just be the most astute tactical manager in football history.
Guardiola’s tenure as a top-flight coach has been remarkable, securing league championships with three distinct teams and triumphing in the UEFA Champions League thrice.
- Mikel Arteta calls out Arsenal player for ‘critical’ mistake costing Bayern win
- Thierry Henry predicts winner of this season’s Champions League
- Neymar named the five players who had more technical skill than him
At Manchester City, he has established a legacy, clinching an impressive Treble in the 2022/23 season.
The team is currently in contention to replicate this achievement, as they are contenders for the Premier League title, have progressed to the European Cup quarter-finals, and reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
Owen expressed that Guardiola is the kind of manager he would have relished playing for during his own football days.
“I think he would teach you so much about the game,” he told TNT Sports. “He’s a student of the game. He’s probably tactically the best manager on the planet at the moment, possibly ever.
“It would be a fascinating insight just to sit in the dressing room for a season with Pep Guardiola.”
Carlo Ancelotti stands as the only coach with a greater number of Champions League titles than Guardiola, and his Real Madrid squad is set to clash with Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the competition.
In their previous encounter during the semi-finals a year ago, it was Manchester City who emerged victorious, decisively defeating Real Madrid with an aggregate score of 5-1.
Owen believes they are two different kinds of coach, adding: “Ancelotti is a real players’ friend, let’s say.
“Every player that plays under him loves him, loves the atmosphere he creates and loves the man management, and of course he’s tactically astute.
“He understands the player. He picks good teams. He’s got the lot.
“Whereas I think Pep Guardiola wouldn’t have that relationship necessarily with players, but tactically, he is probably better than anything we’ve ever seen before.
“He’s absolutely exceptional.”
TNT Sports pundit Joleon Lescott played under Guardiola during his time at City, and added: “I think he [Ancelotti] is well respected throughout the game. I think they both are, for different reasons.
“As a player, you come away from Pep recognising what he’s done for your career, individually and collectively as a team. You probably win more and be more of a threat.
“From Carlo, I get the impression he understands how to motivate individuals, rather than a team, as well as Pep. He identifies the nuances that an individual may need and recognises that you may want to adapt your training methods.
“Pep’s more of a ‘this is what we need to be successful.’
“They’re both very successful. There’s no right or wrong way to manage a team. But I respect them to the same degree in different ways.”
