Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful managers in football history, having lifted trophies with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City in an almost 20-year career in the dugout to date. However, the Catalan-born tactician doesn't think it would have been possible without the influence of one man.
Taking over the reigns from Frank Rijkaard as Barcelona boss in 2008, Guardiola almost instantly hit the ground running as a manager, creating one of the most dominant teams the beautiful game has ever seen. Of course, the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and all the other world-class stars in his squad helped, but Guardiola harnessed all that ability and created a monster.
Having won every top trophy on offer as a player, the now Man City boss had an uphill task to be seen as better from the sidelines rather than on the pitch. However, he has done exactly that, even rivalling Sir Alex Ferguson in discussions about the best boss in Premier League history.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola watching on from the touchline Related
Pep Guardiola Named the 6 Greatest Players in Football History
Pep Guardiola named six football legends who he thinks are in a league of their own.
'A new world opened up in front of me'
Another man who made the seamless transition from being one of the best players around to a masterful figure in the dugout was Dutch hero Johan Cruyff. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner is a legend at both Ajax and Barcelona, and he had a big impact on Guardiola during his Camp Nou spell.
Still a player when he first met Cruyff, the ex-Bayern Munich boss noted how much he learned from Cruyff in his 2016 autobiography. Guardiola stated:
"I knew nothing about football before knowing Cruyff.
"I thought I knew about football – but then I started to work with him and a new world opened up in front of me."
Barcelona's team was brimming with talent, and Guardiola truly believes Cruyff had a significant impact on every player he came across. He continued: "He helped us to understand the game, he helped us to understand why we won the game, or the reason why we made a mistake. All the people thinking about the best manager by talking about how many prizes or titles you've won – that is a huge mistake. At the end of the day, the best coaches only win lots of titles by being in big clubs with big players."
Guardiola Doubts His Managerial Ability Without Johan Cruyff
'How difficult it would’ve been to become a manager'
He has now cemented his own legacy as one of the greatest managers in history, having won multiple Champions League titles as well as being the only man to ever win four successive Premier League titles. However, ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup, Guardiola once again stated the importance of previous mentors. He said (per The Mirror):
"The influence of my previous managers have opened my mind, especially my mentor, Johan Cruyff, for opening my mind and vision of the way to play. I'm pretty sure without the influence for Johan Cruyff in my career as a football player, how difficult it would’ve been to become a manager."
Stating his belief that it's a team effort to find success, rather than individual brilliance, the 54-year-old added: "When people say now that one manager developed that player better than another manager, that is not true, because the team and the ecosystem that you can create and the way they can play all together, rises or increases the quality of that player. There are few who alone can change things. The other one needs the team – by himself, it is nothing."
Ranking the world's highest paid managers in football right now featuring Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola Related
20 Highest-Paid Football Managers in the World (2025)
The highest-paid managers in world football have been revealed, with a surprise national team coach topping the list.