Pep’s Man City Silverware Haul

Manchester City easily swept Arsenal aside in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, 22nd March 2026. The Cityzens won 2-0 and totally dominated the second half after a low-key first half. This was the club’s ninth League Cup triumph, leaving them just one behind Liverpool’s record of 10 wins. Seven of those Man City victories have come since 2014. Moreover, Pep Guardiola has been at the helm for five of them.

Despite this, there has been much talk of City’s decline. Indeed, it is true they were surprisingly poor last term. Additionally, they have been far too inconsistent this season. However, they have now won the first available piece of silverware in 2025/26. Pep will hope that this triumph can give his side a psychological edge during the run-in of the Premier League campaign. The Manchester outfit are also through to the FA Cup quarter finals, so this season could yet end with Pep adding another two trophies to his incredible haul.

Pep’s City Silverware

Pep came to Manchester City from Bayern Munich, having won seven major trophies there. Before that, he enjoyed an even more glittering spell as boss of Barcelona. With the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta at his disposal, Guardiola won almost everything in Spain, including two Champions League titles and two FIFA Club World Cups.

However, year by year, season by season, his Man City side are building a body of work and a collection of silverware to match even that mesmeric Barca outfit. The EFL Cup win was Pep’s 16th major trophy with Man City. That means he has now won more in Manchester than he did with Barca and Bayern combined (excluding super cups).

In addition to the 16 trophies in the table above, City have also won the Community Shield on three occasions under Pep. This silverware haul represents an incredible period of dominance. City have been the strongest side in English football over the past decade and perhaps the strongest in Europe and globally.

However, we would perhaps argue that his period as Barca boss was more impressive. Because the Catalans won both the Champions League and the Club World Cup twice, we feel they have the edge over a Manchester City side that has often promised so much in Europe but not quite managed to get over the line.

Pep Sets New Standards in the Premier League

Other football fans may disagree. Indeed, one can certainly argue that the knockout format of the Champions League means that luck plays a greater role than it does in winning a domestic league. To win the Premier League or La Liga, a team must be exceptional over the course of 38 games and cannot come unstuck simply due to one or two pieces of bad luck.

Therefore, the fact that Guardiola’s Manchester City have six Premier League titles is the standout achievement of his managerial career. On the other hand, the former midfielder has been in the City dugout for a much longer period. He managed Barca for 247 matches and Bayern for 161. However, he is closing in on 600 games as City boss.

That said, longevity is in itself an achievement. Taking a team to the top is one thing but keeping them there is arguably even harder. Pep has proved himself to be a relentless competitor. The energy and desire to keep going when you have achieved just about everything in football should not be underestimated.

Jürgen Klopp decided he did not want to keep going at Liverpool. Announcing his departure, he said he was “running out of energy”. Additionally, he revealed that “I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.” This aspect of greatness is often overlooked, but Pep has shown an incredible ability to keep going back to the well.

Pep Sets Higher Standards

Another indication of just how good he has been at City is the way in which he has raised the bar of what was thought possible in the Premier League. He was helped in this by his rivalry with Klopp and the fantastic Liverpool side that the German built. City and Liverpool spurred each other on to greater things.

In 2017/18, Man City won the Premier League and amassed a record 100 points, lifting the EFL Cup too. (The previous record for most points in a Premier League campaign was the 95 Chelsea achieved in 2004/05.) Man City won again in 2018/19, with 98 points, and defended their EFL Cup and won the FA Cup as well to claim a domestic treble. The City side of 2017/18 netted 106 goals and conceded just 27, and have to rank as one of the best in the history of English football.

Settle to Score in Europe

If Pep were to retire tomorrow, he would go down as one of the greatest managers ever. His silverware collection, impact on football tactics and the younger managers he has inspired ensure that. However, there is no doubt that the Catalan legend would love to add more Champions League titles to his haul.

He could not get over the line with Bayern; however, he won his third UCL as a manager when guiding Man City to the treble in 2022/23. Only Carlo Ancelotti can better that with five triumphs. Pep is level with Bob Paisley and Zinedine Zidane on three wins.

Madrid Nemesis

Manchester City have been favourites for the Champions League several times under Guardiola. However, all too often they have failed to deliver at the crucial moments, made important errors or just been beaten by a better side. And all too often, certainly for a bona fide Barca boy like Pep, that better side has been Real Madrid.

Man City were blown away 5-1 on aggregate this season by Los Blancos when they began the tie as favourites. Last season, they lost 6-3 to the same team in the knockout phase. Incredibly, it was Real who eliminated them 12 months before that, too, this time on penalties. When City lifted the UCL in 2023, they did get the better of Madrid, beating them 5-1 over two legs in the semis.

However, rewind another 12 months, and we have perhaps Pep’s most painful loss to the record winners of the Champions League. The rivals again met in the semi-finals, and Man City were looking good at 5-3 up in the 90th minute of the second leg. But Real had other ideas. A brace from Rodrygo, in the 90th and 91st minutes, forced extra time in Spain, and the hosts converted a penalty in the additional period to go through 6-5.

City showed in the second half of the EFL Cup final what potential they have. Their fans will hope that a win and the performance can spur them on to a strong finish. Indeed, if they win two or three trophies, 2025/26 will go down as a great season. That would then set a revitalised, rebuilt City up for a tilt at the Champions League in 2026/27, especially if they can avoid Real Madrid!