Three managers who have won league over Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

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Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has set a new standard in modern football management, dominating leagues in Spain, Germany, and England. Known for his tactical brilliance, Guardiola has collected 12 league titles in 15 seasons with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

But this season has not followed his usual script. After a fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions, the City manager is trailing Liverpool by five points in the Premier League, raising questions about his grip on the title race.

While Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot could be poised to break Guardiola’s streak if he maintains the lead, he wouldn’t be the first to pull off such a feat. Only three other managers have managed to outshine Guardiola in a league season, each achieving the rare victory of beating one of football’s most successful managers to the league title.

1. Jose Mourinho – Real Madrid (2011-12)

During his time with Barcelona, Guardiola transformed the club into one of the greatest teams of all time, winning multiple Champions League titles and an unprecedented treble. Yet, in the 2011-12 season, Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho managed to dethrone Guardiola in La Liga.

With a formidable squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Ozil, Angel Di Maria, etc Mourinho led Real Madrid to a record-breaking season, finishing with 100 points and ending Guardiola’s three-year league dominance. Madrid’s ruthless performances and Mourinho’s tactical mastery helped them outlast Guardiola’s Barcelona, marking the first time Pep tasted league defeat.

2. Antonio Conte – Chelsea (2016-17)

Guardiola’s arrival at Manchester City in 2016 came with high expectations following his success at Bayern Munich. But his first Premier League season presented challenges he hadn’t faced in Spain or Germany.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, under the leadership of Antonio Conte, capitalized on City’s adjustment period. Conte’s team stormed to the title with 91 points—15 points clear of City, who only managed a fourth-place finish. This was the first season Guardiola had finished without a trophy in his managerial career.

3. Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool (2019-20)

The 2018-19 Premier League season saw an epic duel between Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. City narrowly edged Liverpool to the title by a single point, despite Liverpool’s impressive 97-point finish. Undeterred, Klopp’s side returned with a payback in the 2019-20 season.

Liverpool went on an unstoppable run, winning 26 of their first 27 matches. They clinched the title with seven games remaining and finished with 99 points, 18 points ahead of City. Klopp’s side lifted Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years, in what was arguably one of the most dominant Premier League campaigns.