When Pep Guardiola learned how many Manager of the Month trophies Sir Alex Ferguson won while leading Manchester United, he was understandably shocked.
The 53-year-old Spaniard, who signed with City before the 2016–17 season, has two FA Cups, a Champions League, and six Premier League trophies to his name with Man City.
For the former manager of Bayern Munich and Barcelona, his time at Manchester has been filled with trophies.
He is still a long way from surpassing Sir Alex Ferguson’s record for most Manager of the Month victories, though. Throughout his 26-year tenure at Old Trafford, the latter won the honour 27 times.
Guardiola earned the Premier League Manager of the Month award in January 2022 for the second time in a row after City won all seven of their home games to take an eight-point lead atop the standings.
This accomplishment put him third in the overall standings and marked his eleventh win of the trophy during his stint at the Etihad.
Throughout his tenure in North London, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger earned a very respectable fifteen Manager of the Month accolades. While Sir Alex Ferguson hoisted it an astounding 27 times, Guardiola believes he will never accomplish the feat.
A reporter chose to bring up Ferguson’s MOTM record back in January 2022.
“You’ve won 11 now, Pep – only Wenger and Ferguson have won more than you,” he said. “So, is that something for you to be proud of?”
Guardiola smiled, saying: “Be careful, Sir Alex, Arsene… I’m coming…” but after being told how many Ferguson won, his facial expressions changed in a matter of seconds.
“How many?!” he laughed. “Oh my god! Okay… it belongs to him! I will not chase him for sure.”
With 14 Manager of the Month titles to his credit as of this writing, the Spaniard still has a ways to go before he can match Ferguson’s total.
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So, over the years, who have received the most Premier League Manager of the Month honours? The top 10 are listed here.
Sir Bobby Robson – 6 times
- Sam Allardyce – 6 times
- Rafael Benitez – 7 times
- Mikel Arteta – 7 times
- Harry Redknapp – 8 times
- Martin O’Neill – 8 times
- Jurgen Klopp – 10 times
- David Moyes – 10 times
- Pep Guardiola – 14 times
- Arsene Wenger – 15 times
- Sir Alex Ferguson – 27 times
