Pep Guardiola reveals two managers he thinks could beat him to Manager of the Year

Pep Guardiola may have fine-tuned Manchester City into a record-breaking, league-winning machine this season, but there are at least two managers he thinks have done a comparably good job elsewhere.

City are on course to smash Chelsea’s record haul of 95 points for the season dating back to 2004/05, and this weekend became the first team to score 100+ goals in two Premier League seasons. Their 4-1 win against West Ham at the London Stadium saw them bring up 102 goals for the campaign, the same number as they scored under Manuel Pellegrini in 2013/14 but with three games to play.

Nonetheless, Pep thinks there are two rival coaches who could beat him to the Manager of the Year Award. Not only that, he seems fairly magnanimous about the idea.

‘An amazing job’

Speaking after City’s victory over West Ham, he said: “Of course, the teams for the players who are nominated to win have more chance. But, believe me, if the Burnley manager, my colleagues, or, for example, Rafa Benitez at Newcastle – he’s made an amazing job.

“For example, Salah is [named] the best player – I’m not going to say it’s unfair. But if they say Kevin [De Bruyne], I’m not going to say it’s unfair too.

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“There are many, many players and many managers who deserve that. You know my opinion about that. It’s a collective game. It isn’t tennis or golf. A lot of people are involved in our success. The reason why is a lot.

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“I’m sitting in front of you, it looks like I’m more important. But it’s more important how you [collectively] help the players to play well.”

Ah, the only thing more annoying than an extremely successful person: an extremely successful person who is also vaguely modest about it.