Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest managers of all time.
The Spaniard has won 12 domestic league titles during his tenures at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and then Manchester City, along with an abundance of domestic trophies and individual accolades.
In the Champions League, his three titles – two with Barca and one with City – put him among the greats with only five-time winner Carlo Ancelotti having won more.
But a 5-1 aggregate defeat by Real Madrid in the last 16 represents another missed opportunity and leaves many wondering what might have been.
In the 15 years since lifting the Champions League trophy with Barcelona in 2011, his second with the Catalan club having also won it in 2009, Guardiola has only had his hands on the trophy once – a maiden title for City when they did the Treble in 2023.
Guardiola himself would perhaps be disappointed with that yield, having come so close to adding to that tally on several occasions with City.
“We have an extraordinary team and extraordinary group of players, the future is bright,” said the defiant City boss after Tuesday’s exit.
But, given the uncertainty around his future in Manchester beyond this season, questions will be asked around whether this was the 55-year-old’s last chance to win the coveted trophy.
