Guardiola previously managed Bayern Munich and Barcelona before taking over in Manchester in 2016. He will go down as much as Ferguson as one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen. Although Ferguson resigned as manager three years before Guardiola took over at City, the two giants of the game were at loggerheads during the Spaniard’s reign at Barcelona. United faced Barça in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals, but lost both times.
The Scot showed remarkable integrity in a stunning defeat after losing 3-1 in the 2011 final at Wembley, saying: “In my time as manager, this was the best team we played against. I think everyone agrees with that and I accept that.”
Guardiola then revealed at his farewell press conference at City on Friday that he congratulated Ferguson on his excellent stint in Manchester.
“One of the biggest compliments for me was that I received a message from Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday, which made me very happy,” Guardiola said. When asked about the details of the message, he added: “That’s a Scottish accent, I couldn’t understand it! I’ll call you back. Congratulations on your journey and what you’ve accomplished. It means a lot to me.”
“He’s the greatest man in this country, for his tenure, for his time and for so many reasons…I’m glad to see the greatest Sir Alex Ferguson…I’m sure to Sir Alex we’re not ‘noisy neighbours’, we’re ‘neighbours’, just ‘neighbors’. And we’re glad he’s watching over us.”
Back in 2009, Ferguson was asked whether City could dethrone Manchester giants United and memorably replied: “Not in my lifetime.” Since then, City have won seven Premier League titles, while United have failed to lift the trophy.
United have won the FA Cup twice, the League Cup twice and the Europa League, but a serious challenge to the Premier League title remains out of reach since Ferguson’s retirement.
