Pep Guardiola has established himself as one of the best managers in the English Premier League (EPL) since moving to England in the summer of 2016. He is arguably one of the most difficult managers to play against. Only two EPL managers have beaten him in three consecutive matches since he took over at Manchester City. This is the longest winning streak against him in England. Who are these strategists, and how did they succeed?
Jürgen Norbert Klopp of Germany is the first EPL manager to beat the Spaniard since 2016.As Liverpool's head coach, Klopp accomplished the feat.
On match day 23 of the 2017/18 season, the German tactician began his winning streak against Pep in the second leg of their English Premiership tie (at Anfield). The Reds came to the game looking to avenge their 5-0 defeat to the Citizens in the first leg. Surprisingly, Klopp's team won the game 4-3.The pair were scheduled to meet again in the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals. Klopp outwitted his Manchester City counterpart, winning 3-0 thanks to goals in the first half from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Sadio Mané. When they met in the second leg, it was Guardiola's team that scored first (in the second minute) through Gabriel Jesus. Salah and Roberto Firmino, however, saved the day for Liverpool with second-half goals.
The next manager to defeat Guardiola three times in a row was Thomas Tuchel, who led Chelsea from January 2021 to September 2022.Tuchel, a German like Klopp, began his own winning streak in the 2020/21 FA Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over the Citizens. On match day 35 of the same season, the former Borussia Dortmund coach won 2-1. Their next meeting was in the 2020/21 UCL final. Kai Havertz's 42nd-minute goal was enough to give the Blues the victory.
Klopp's Liverpool repeated the feat in 2022, when they defeated the Citizens three times in a row. It all started on April 16 with a 3-2 win in the FA Cup semi-finals. The Reds led by three goals in the first half, but their hosts could not complete the comeback until the end of the game.Mo Salah also came to the rescue for the Germans, scoring in the 76th minute after a long pass from goalkeeper Alisson.
As a result, the 2020 World's Best Club Coach is the only EPL manager to have done it in two different calendar years.
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