5 Managers Pep Guardiola Has Clashed With Over the Years
While Pep Guardiola is generally level-headed, the Manchester City boss has had his fair share of rivalries throughout his illustrious managerial career. With 12 league titles since 2007, the 53-year-old is one of football's greatest managers. Here’s a look at five notable feuds:
1. Jose Mourinho
Guardiola and Mourinho’s rivalry peaked during their time in Spain, with Pep in Barcelona and Mourinho in Real Madrid.
In the 2010-11 Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona defeated Madrid, prompting Mourinho to accuse Pep of benefiting from officiating:
“One day, I hope Guardiola wins this competition properly,” Mourinho fumed.
Their tension persists to this day. After a 2-0 loss at Anfield, Guardiola held up six fingers, referencing his Premier League titles, and said: “Maybe I’m like Jose. He won three; I won six.” Mourinho countered: “I won clean and fair.”
2. Sergio Conceicao
The former Porto boss clashed with Guardiola during a heated Champions League game in 2020.
“Guardiola’s attitude was extremely unpleasant,” Conceicao said, accusing him of pressuring referees and insulting Portugal. Guardiola dismissed the claims, insisting his team’s conduct was professional.
3. Paul Cook
During a 2018 FA Cup match against Wigan Athletic, tensions flared after Fabian Delph’s red card. Guardiola and Cook exchanged heated words, continuing their argument down the tunnel.
Despite the confrontation, both managers downplayed the incident after the game, with Cook stating he had “no problem” with Guardiola.
4. Diego Simeone
Following Manchester City’s Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid in 2022, Guardiola criticized Simeone’s defensive tactics, calling his 5-5-0 formation “prehistory.”
Simeone took the high road, responding: “I respect all my colleagues. Everyone has their own way of doing things.”
5. Rafa Benitez
In December 2017, Guardiola fired a dig at Benitez’s defensive tactics during Newcastle’s 1-0 loss to City: “It’s difficult to play when the other team doesn’t want to.”
Benitez defended his approach, stating: “When you play against City, you have to adapt. Our fans understand why we did things this way.”
These fiery encounters highlight the intensity of Guardiola’s career and the rivalries that have shaped it.
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