Pep Guardiola has set his sights on several records held by Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester City bid to make history in the 2022/23 season.
Widely regarded as the best manager in football history, the former Manchester United boss set the benchmark for future generations during his trophy-laden 27-year stint at Old Trafford.
Ferguson, who recently made the Premier League Hall of Fame alongside his arch-rival Arsene Wenger, won England’s elite division 13 times with the Red Devils.
The 81-year-old’s phenomenal trophy haul has stood the test of time, and unless Guardiola plans to stay at the Etihad Stadium for another decade, his accomplishments should remain intact.
But the Spaniard, who has four Premier League titles under his belt, could still hit several eye-catching milestones that only Ferguson was able to achieve before him.
Having re-established control in the title race following a 4-1 demolition of Arsenal in midweek Premier League action, the ex-Barcelona manager could lead Man City to a third straight league success.
As you can imagine, Ferguson is the only manager in Premier League history to win the title in three successive seasons. Yet what you may not know is that the Scottish powerhouse did it on two separate occasions.
He first led Man Utd to three Premier League triumphs on the trot between 1999 and 2001, a formidable run which included the unprecedented ‘Treble‘ in the famous 1998/99 campaign.
With Man City still battling it out on three different fronts, Guardiola could replicate Ferguson’s historic feat unless the Red Devils spoil his plans in the FA Cup final.
Of course, the Cityzens could still lose the Premier League title race to Arsenal, but that looks almost impossible given the sides’ current form and City’s outstanding domestic record.
Record-time Champions League winners Real Madrid could also throw a spanner in the works as they face the English heavyweights in a repeat of last season’s semi-finals.
However, after narrowly missing out on European glory in 2020/21 and inexplicably bowing out in last season’s last-four round, Guardiola intends to make amends this term.
And even if he doesn’t win the Premier League, he’ll remain the second most-successful manager in league history, having leapfrogged Wenger and Jose Mourinho courtesy of last season’s win.
But as things stand right now, lifting another Premier League title looks like a near-certainty for the Spanish tactician.
