Pep Guardiola is one manager who has made his mark in football, with the Spaniard also going on to produce disciples that have taken the game by storm.
Ahead of the immense Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, we have taken time out to look at top coaches who learned the ropes of football management under Guardiola.
Guardiola, who is regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history, has had close dealings with several handlers of top European teams.
Xavi Hernandez And Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola managed ex-teammate Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, with the pair having a successful time together.
The pair helped the Blaugrana side claim 3 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey, 3 Supercopa de Espana, 2 UEFA Super Cup, 2 UEFA Champions League and 2 FIFA Club World Cup.
Interestingly, Xavi also took charge of Barcelona between 2021 and 2024, with the Spaniard guiding the club to 1 La Liga title alongside 1 Supercopa de Espana.
Luis Enrique
The current Paris Saint Germain manager worked under Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2011, as he was given the responsibility of taking charge of the reserve team of Barcelona.
Subsequently, Enrique, who has also managed teams like Roma and the national team of Spain, coached Barcelona between 2014 and 2017.
Luis Enrique helped the club win several trophies, including a treble – La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League during his spell as boss of the Spanish side.
Xabi Alonso And Vincent Kompany
Xabi Alonso, who tutors Bayer Leverkusen, and Vincent Kompany, who manages Bayern Munich, played under Guardiola during their playing careers.
Alonso played under Pep Guardiola during his stint as Bayern Munich boss between 2014 and 2016.
Kompany played and was captain of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City set-up between 2016 and 2019.
Enzo Maresca
Italian tactician Enzo Maresca worked closely with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City between 2020 and 2023.
Maresca took charge of the reserve team of the Cityzens from August 2020 to May 2021, while also working as Guardiola’s assistant between July 2022 and June 2023.
Enzo Maresca certainly took important nuggets from his former boss and that is visible in how his Chelsea side play.
The 44-year-old was appointed as manager of Chelsea in the summer of 2024, following the dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Maresca has also previously handled notable teams like Serie A side Parma and 1-time Premier League winners Leicester City.
Mikel Arteta
The Spanish tactician was an apprentice to Pep Guardiola from 2016 – 2019, as he was receiving guidance on football management.
Mikel Arteta left Manchester City in December 2019 to become manager of Arsenal and he has positively changed the fortunes of the club.
Arteta led Arsenal to the FA Cup title in 2020, and he is keen on helping them claim more major honors.
Erik ten Hag
The 54-year-old was made coach of the Bayern Munich reserve team in 2013 and he came in contact with Guardiola, who was also appointed as manager of the Allianz Arena side.
The pair rubbed minds from time to time, and their football approach and identity are quite similar.
Erik ten Hag, who manages English giants Manchester United, handled the reserve team of Bayern Munich between 2013 and 2015.
The Dutchman has helped Manchester United win 2 major trophies; Carabao and FA Cup, in his first 2 seasons handling the side.
