Pep Guardiola and the dark cloud of the "chequebook manager"

If re’s one manr that comes to mind when phrase “pursuit of excellence” comes up, it’s Pep Guardiola. Guardiola is arguably one of best manrs in world right w. Catalan has enjoyed considerable success in his spells across Europe with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. Lately, however, Man City boss has cut a troubled figure, courtesy of ir form in Premier League.

“Man City might t be able to compete with top teams,” Pep Guardiola was quoted as saying after City’s loss in Manchester derby. This led to a number of fans claiming that one of finest manrs in world football had thrown in towel halfway into season. Guardiola’s comments on t being able to compete with top teams in league are particularly interesting, considering that manr in Premier League has had a higher net spend since Guardiola’s arrival in England. Spaniard has a net spend of £527.79 million since taking over blue half of Manchester. In that same period, Liverpool have had a net spend of just £75.3 million.

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If one were to compare hand dealt to both manrs upon ir arrival in Premier League, Pep Guardiola would arguably come out on top. Spaniard took over a side that had already won Premier League two years prior to his arrival. Jurgen Klopp, on or hand, took over a Liverpool side that last won league over two decades ago. While Pep Guardiola had likes of Vincent Kompany, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Yaya Toure at his disposal, Klopp had only Brazilian duo of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmi to count on. While German came to England a year before Pep Guardiola, large gulf (pardon pun) in spending so far is still unaccounted for.

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Pep Guardiola has undeniably been a success in Premier League. Spaniard guided Manchester City to consecutive titles while amassing a total of 198 points across two Premier League campaigns. Yet, a few manrs have been awarded luxury of signing ar first-choice goalkeeper merely a year after luring Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper to Etihad.

Guardiola has also been able to replace deadwood in Manchester City squad with some big names.  likes of Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri ultimately made way for Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva. Jurgen Klopp has also made some expensive signings during his tenure at Anfield. However, cost of bringing in likes of Alisson and Virgil van Dijk was largely offset by £142 million Liverpool received from Philippe Coutinho transfer.

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Lack of Champions League success eating away City fans and owners

If re is one bone of contention City's owners will have with Guardiola, it will be lack of Champions League success club has tasted so far. Despite spending heavily and drawing comparatively weaker opponents throughout ir Champions League campaigns, highest spenders in Premier League have failed to make any headway into Champions League under Guardiola. At Football Writers’ Association Awards Dinner last month, Pep Guardiola joked that he would gladly exchange a Premier League trophy for Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League trophy. It’s difficult to say if Spaniard was only half-joking.

However, with Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool sending a 'mind gap' mess to ir Premier League rivals courtesy of ir astounding lead at top, only piece of major silverware Guardiola will be able to get his hands on is ever-elusive Champions League. With Liverpool out of competition and a first-leg lead over Real Madrid, City will hope to conquer one challenge that has eluded m since y became a part of uveau riche. Considering y stand a chance of being banned from competition for next two seasons, Champions League could turn out to be Pep Guardiola and Man City's Holy Grail. 

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