Man City with chance to add Pep Guardiola to Premier League record books
Man City with record-breaking opportunity
Premier League leaders Manchester City play host to Leeds United at the Etihad later today, and they have a chance to add another landmark moment in the managerial career of Pep Guardiola in the process.
Should City find the back of the net once against Marcelo Bielsa’s outfit this evening, it would be – at least – the 500th goal scored in just 207-matches under the now-legendary Spanish manager during his tenure at the club; the fastest that any manager in the Premier League era has managed to achieve that landmark.
📊| #ManCity Stats:@ManCity have scored 499 goals in 206 #PL games under Pep Guardiola – a goal here would see the Spaniard become the manager to see his sides score 500 in the competition in the fewest games from the start of his tenure.#MCILEE | #MCFC pic.twitter.com/CBjwh2l14D
— City Chief (@City_Chief) December 14, 2021
It would constitute another feather in the cap of Guardiola, who is unquestionably the top manager of his generation and arguably one of the greatest of all time across Europe.
Since his arrival after a three-year stint with German juggernaut Bayern Munich in the summer of 2016, Pep has taken the Premier League by storm at the helm of Man City, helping the club push its way into establishing itself as one of the elite clubs in the country.
Now in his sixth year in the north of England, Guardiola is on the hunt for his fourth Premier League title, passing the three league wins he achieved at both Bayern as well as Barcelona. Additionally, the Santpedor-native has also won the FA Cup (2018-19) as well as the Carabao Cup on four consecutive occasions (2017-2022). Though he has yet to lift the Champions League trophy since his tenure at the Camp Nou, he did reach the final against Chelsea last season but only to be trumped by Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
His mark on the English game cannot be understated.
Citizens on the march
With Leeds United just over the horizon in a matter of hours, Manchester City constitutes a massive speed bump in the road for Marcelo Bielsa after they have gone on a six-match-winning run that has seen them charge up the table where they now sit top.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Cole Palmer of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their sides sixth goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Wycombe Wanderers F.C. at Etihad Stadium on September 21, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
That position of strength remains precarious for Pep Guardiola however, with title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea sitting just one and two points adrift respectively.
Though Leeds has hardly been at the races this season, it would hardly be a shock if Bielsa was the mastermind behind City having a hiccup today which could potentially swing the title race in favor of either the Reds or the Blues.
Despite the three-horse battle at the top, City are proving once again this season that they are the dominant force in English football.
