EPL TALK: Never put an asterisk over Pep Guardiola’s peerless career

WITH history in the bag, Pep Guardiola took a moment to reflect. He was tired, but calm. Satisfied. There was no longer an asterisk hanging over his head.

Until the final whistle confirmed Manchester City as Treble winners and the finest side in world football, by some distance, Guardiola was the coach with the caveat. It was there for all to see, up in the stands, reminding the manager of that nagging inferiority complex.

City owner Sheikh Mansour Zayed al Nahyan was watching his side for only the second time in the flesh, eager to see what two billion pounds of flesh actually buys. It was meant to buy the Champions League trophy. Billionaires are supposed to get what they want. Billionaire oligarchs always get what they want.

But Guardiola was becoming a disturbing anomaly in a disturbing age – a manager who had picked up 11 of City’s 16 trophies in the Mansour era and still considered only a qualified success before the final. The Spaniard was hired not to reel in trout. His owners demanded Moby Dick. Nothing else was ever going to be good enough.

In Istanbul, Guardiola finally proved he was no turkey, at least in the eyes of unforgiving owners, putting down the game defiance of Inter Milan by demonstrating he’s easily the most accomplished manager of his generation, and perhaps even the greatest of all time.

And there we go. As soon as we venture into GOAT territory, we run the risk of hysterical bleating, but the evidence was there to see in an underwhelming Champions League final, ironically. Guardiola had pulled off minor miracles all over the pitch.

Ederson made two late saves from Romelu Lukaku and Robin Gosens, because Guardiola had made him better. The Brazilian’s distribution earned him the City gig in the first place, but his reflexes didn’t quite match the feline-like capabilities of David de Gea in his prime. City’s coaching staff fixed that.

Guardiola’s tactical switch to deal with the double threat of Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko required an extra midfielder and potentially left City vulnerable down the flanks, so the ageing Kyle Walker made way for Nathan Aké and Manuel Akanji moved over to the right, because Guardiola has made both Ake and Akanji better.

But his true love lies in midfield. Guardiola adores midfielders. He once spoke of his desire to fill his side with midfielders and replicate the fizzing Pep-ball of Barcelona in their possession-obsessed prime. So he made City’s midfielders better.

In the 2021 Champions League final, Guardiola didn’t trust Rodri to play Pep-ball and left the Spaniard on the bench and brought on veteran Fernandinho instead. Rodri dominates the position now. His winner against Inter was a fitting reward for a stellar season and a testament to his professional development. Guardiola has made him better.

Among City's riches, Pep is their one priceless asset

And then there is John Stones; big, brave balletic Stones from Barnsley. Balletic things don’t usually come from Barnsley. And beautiful defenders don’t usually come from England. Stones’ evolution has been little short of startling and humbling, surely, for other elite managers who wonder why they can’t turn their rough diamonds into pure Stones.

He was always going to be a graceful defender. Early comparisons to Bobby Moore and Rio Ferdinand were justified as he was solid in the box, but even silkier in possession. But there was something malleable about his demeanour early on. Seemingly without a tenacity to rival John Terry, he tended to deflate like a balloon left in the June sunshine.

But Guardiola saw the touch and saw a midfielder, an elegant enforcer to provide support and liberate others to find that enigmatic Norwegian. One of the most promising defenders in English football is now one of the finest defensive midfielders in world football, capable of neutralising Inter’s threat in a Champions League final. Stones allowed Rodri to push forward and guide home the winner, because Guardiola has made Stones better.

And there are many others. Ilkay Gundogan captained City to a Treble, a utility man, sure, but a master of all trades, rather than none. Phil Foden stepped up for the injured Kevin de Bruyne. Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish both won the Champions League for the first time and essentially castigated themselves for underwhelming performances because their standards are now set so high because Guardiola has made them all better.

No one comes close in this regard. Jurgen Klopp is turning Trent Alexander-Arnold into the quarterback he was always destined to be, but it was a tactical move born in desperation. Mikel Arteta may eventually challenge his old mentor, but remains an apprentice. Guardiola stands alone, wearing the crown lightly, no asterisk applied.

At this point of course, cynicism dictates a mention of the other asterisk, the one with a value in the region of £2 billion and a potential cost of 115 charges for alleged financial cheating, which feels uncouth to bring up now, but actually necessary to underline Guardiola’s achievement.

Yes, he’s effectively Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, demanding the whole world and essentially getting it from "daddy" Sheikh Mansour, but he’s never succumbed to the sugary addiction of starry names. Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo, to use the most obvious examples, were not going to play for Guardiola.

Have a giggle at Manchester United’s expenditure since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down. Have a proper laugh at Chelsea’s expenditure since Todd Boehly stepped up. They provided punchlines, not trophy parades. Guardiola provided five Premier League titles in six years and now the Treble – the second of his coaching career. He also has three Champions League winners’ medals. This is the first without Lionel Messi.

The greatest manager has finally returned to the game’s pinnacle without his greatest player. Guardiola didn’t overthink this time. He just out-coached everyone else.

At a later date, Manchester City’s asterisk will be determined in a courtroom. But their manager will never have a case to answer on the pitch. Guardiola may be part of a global project with unlimited resources, but he’s the only priceless asset.

Neil Humphreys is an award-winning football writer and a best-selling author, who has covered the English Premier League since 2000 and has written 26 books.

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