The influence of Pep Guardiola is widely noticeable in modern-day football management, with clubs looking to mirror his methods and bring on board individuals who have learned under the tutelage of the Spaniard.
Interestingly, 4 of the world’s biggest clubs are now handled by managers who have studied under Guardiola as either an assistant or player.
The Influence Of Pep Guardiola In Football Management
Enzo Maresca
Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca on Monday, June 3, 2024, and the Italian was previously an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City from June 5, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
For the sake of emphasis, Maresca was in the dugout when Guardiola led Manchester City to the treble – Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League during the 2022/23 campaign.
Enzo Maresca, who was born on February 10, 1980, and is currently 44 years old, departed the Etihad side to join Leicester City on July 1, 2023.
His stint with the Foxes was remarkable, although filled with minimal rocky patches, but he managed to secure Premier League promotion for the club.
Maresca took charge of Leicester City for 53 matches, winning 36 games, drawing 4 and losing 13.
Enzo Maresca helped the Foxes clinch promotion by winning the Championship, much to the delight of fans of the English club.
The former Parma boss will be aiming to guide Chelsea from the dungeon and into positive fortunes.
Mikel Arteta
Moreover, Arsenal gaffer Mikel Arteta also worked as an apprentice to Pep Guardiola between July 2016 and December 2019.
Arteta decided to leave his role at Manchester City to join Arsenal on December 22, 2019, after he was contacted by the North London side.
Mikel Arteta has won just one major trophy since becoming boss of the Gunners, helping the club win the FA Cup in the 2019/20 season.
The Spaniard has taken charge of 231 games as Arsenal manager, winning 140 matches, drawing 34, and losing 57.
His stint as the handler of the English side began on a shaky note, but he has managed to push the club to impressive heights.
Arsenal have competed toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the last two seasons, only missing out on the Premier League title at the dying embers of the campaign.
In the 2023/24 season, they amassed 88 points from 38 matches, but fell short of the Cityzens by 2 points, with Pep Guardiola’s side picking up 91 points from an equal number of games.
Vincent Kompany
Additionally, Vincent Kompany was also appointed manager of German Giants Bayern Munich on May 30, 2024.
Kompany’s appointment came as a shock to many, given he had an underwhelming season with Burnley, as the club was relegated from the top flight at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Vincent Kompany played under Pep Guardiola during his time at Manchester City between 2016 and 2019.
The Belgian definitely learned much from the Spaniard, with teams he has handled, having a semblance with Guardiola’s sides.
Before his spell at Turf Moor, Kompany was boss of Belgian side Anderlecht between 2019 and 2022.
Kompany became coach of Burnley on July 1, 2022, and he helped them gain promotion to the Premier League, whilst playing a captivating brand of football.
Unfortunately, the 38-year-old didn’t have players that could fully delineate his style of play in the top tier.
The Clarets showed glimpses of brilliance during the 2023/24 season, but it was evident that they lacked the quality needed to play such football.
Vincent Kompany will be aiming to galvanize Bayern Munich towards success, following a torrid 2024/25 season for both parties.
Erik Ten Hag
Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag was also a subordinate to Pep Guardiola between 2013 and 2015.
Ten Hag didn’t work directly as an assistant to Guardiola, but he was the manager of Bayern Munich B during the Spaniard’s time at the club.
Erik Ten Hag has also in the past spoken of the knowledge he has gained from Pep Guardiola, saying:
“I learned a lot from Guardiola. His philosophy is sensational, what he did in Barcelona, Bayern, and now with Manchester City, that attacking and attractive style sees him win a lot. It’s this structure that I’ve tried to implement with Ajax.”
The Dutchman made these comments during the 2018/19 season when he led his former side Ajax to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Erik Ten Hag has had a wishy-washy stint as manager of Manchester United but has managed to claim two trophies thus far.
He led the Red Devils to the Carabao Cup crown in the 2022/23 season, before beating Pep Guardiola to win the 2023/24 FA Cup title.
Ten Hag’s future with Manchester United is uncertain, but he will be hoping to remain as boss of the English giants.
Erik Ten Hag will in turn be aiming for an amazing 2024/25 season, given how highly ambitious a team like Manchester United is.
Luis Enrique, Xabi Alonso, and Thierry Henry are some managers, who also learned a thing or two from Pep Guardiola.
The Influence Of Pep Guardiola In Football
Guardiola is considered to be one of the greatest managers of all time due to the astonishing heights he has achieved over the years with his possession-based style of play.
The 53-year-old revolutionized the role of goalkeepers in recent decades and made them more involved with the game, as opposed to the traditional way of basically saving their teams from conceding.
This is not to express that there were not ball-playing goalkeepers years before the Spaniard got into management, but he has made it more prominent in recent times.
Guardiola is also good at signing players that will fit into his pattern of play and that has largely aided him in his coaching career.
Pep Guardiola has managed just 3 clubs in his career, including; Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
His fascinating coaching methods has been lauded globally, with administrators of clubs keen on seeing such being replicated at their outfit.
The Spanish tactician has won several trophies in his stellar career, including; 3 UEFA Champions League titles, 12 league titles and 4 FIFA Club World Cups.
