Pep Guardiola was understandably taken aback after finding out how many Manager of the Month awards Sir Alex Ferguson lifted during his reign at Manchester United.
The 53-year-old Spaniard, who joined City ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, has won six Premier League trophies with the Citizens; not to mention two FA Cups and a Champions League.
It has been a trophy-laden spell in Manchester for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.
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But he still has some way to go to beating Sir Alex Ferguson's record for Manager of the Month awards won. In fact, the latter was awarded the prize on 27 occasions throughout his 26-year spell at Old Trafford.
Back in January 2022, Guardiola was named Premier League Manager of the Month for the second successive month after City won all seven of their domestic games to open up an eight-point lead at the top.
It was an achievement that meant he had won the award for an 11th time during his tenure at the Etihad, placing him third in the overall standings.
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Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger won a very respectable 15 Manager of the Month awards during his time in North London.
Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, lifted it a quite remarkable 27 times – an achievement even Guardiola thinks he will never reach.
Back in January 2022, a reporter decided to mention Ferguson's record in the MOTM stakes.
“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?”
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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.”
The Spaniard, who has lifted 14 Manager of the Month awards at the time of writing, has a long way to go if he wants to match the tally of Ferguson.
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So who has won the most Premier League Manager of the Month awards down the years?
– Sir Bobby Robson – 6 times
– Sam Allardyce – 6 times
– Rafael Benitez – 7 times
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– 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
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Sir Alex Ferguson
Jack Kenmare