Who Is The Better Manager – Sir Alex Ferguson Or Pep Guardiola?

on January 16, 2023 at 3:30 pm

When it comes to modern Premier League managers Pep Guardiola is right at the top of the list. But all-time, who is the better manager – Sir Alex Ferguson or Pep Guardiola?

We got the chance to sit down with Gordon Strachan who most notably had success in Glasgow as Celtic manager. Strachan also knows Sir Alex Ferguson very well having played under the legendary manager at two clubs.

We asked Strachan to compare Ferguson to the top managers in today’s game, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. Strachan’s answer gives us a fascinating insight into what it was like to play under the Man United legend.

What’s the difference between Sir Alex, Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola?

If you ask St Mirren fans what the best time they ever had, they’ll say when Sir Alex Ferguson was there. You ask the same to Aberdeen and Man United fans and they’ll say the best time for them was involving Sir Alex Ferguson. The only other person who can say the same is probably Brian Clough.

Sir Alex delivered throughout all different eras. Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are magnificent but I don’t think Borussia Dortmund’s best times were under Jurgen because they won the European Cup when someone else was in charge.

With Sir Alex Ferguson, everywhere he went was that clubs’ best time. And that’s three different levels of clubs.

I would argue with anybody that Sir Alex is the greatest manager we’ve ever seen.

I’m not sure how the young players in today’s would’ve dealt with Sir Alex. I was lucky enough to experience it and was on the receiving end of most of the ‘hairdryer treatments’ he gave out, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am so lucky to have spent nine years in the same dressing room as him.

Sir Alex Ferguson is the best sports psychologist the world has ever seen, by absolute miles.

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You set a record as the oldest outfield player in the Premier League before you retired aged 40 – are there any current players who you think could play until they 40+ years old?

The biggest secret when it comes to playing until you’re 40 years old is that you have to be an influence on the squad. I stopped at Leeds when I was 37 because I felt I wasn’t being an influence. My last game was against Liverpool in front of 40,000 people. My next game was for Coventry against Halifax in front of about 200 people, but I was an influence again and I loved it. If you’re influencing a team then you should keep playing.

Callum McGregor could play until he’s 40. He keeps getting better every year and he’s an example to everyone to stop complaining after playing 35 games [in a season]. He plays 60 games a season.

You can play to an older age if you look after yourself.

I think Christian Eriksen could play until he’s 40 too. He’s got the right intelligence and he’s an incredible professional.

My advice to footballers and everyone is to stay off social media if you want an enjoyable life.