Guardiola vs Fergie: How the two compare with fans divided on who is the GOAT

There is a raging debate on social media pitting legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Man City's Pep Guardiola, with football fans divided on who is the greatest of all time in the Premier League era.

The debate was sparked by City's recent domestic triumph, where they beat Arsenal to the Premier League crown with three games to spare.

For the longest time, Arsenal had emerged as the firm favourites to win the league this term after dominating the season for weeks.

However, City sprung a surprise in the closing stages of the campaign to see off the Gunners in one of the fiercest title runs in recent years.

According to Sky Sports, this was the Citizens' fifth Premier League crown in six years under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola has been an all-conquering Man City team since he joined the club in 2016 from Bayern Munich.

So dominant City have been under him that they have lost the Premier League crown only on two occasions since his arrival.

City's recent triumph saw pundits and fans delve into the debate on if Guardiola is indeed the greatest manager of all time.

Sportbible reports that Jamie Redknapp, who was appearing as a pundit on Sky Sports, openly declared Guardiola the GOAT.

Be that as it may, opinion remains divided, with some contending Sir Alex Ferguson was the greatest.

How Guardiola and Ferguson compare

While many are pitting the manager GOAT debate between Sir Alex Ferguson and Guardiola, the two do not share as many similarities.

For instance, unlike Guardiola, who has managed clubs in Spain, Germany, and now England - Fergie never really got out of the UK during his long managerial career.

Guardiola started his managerial career with Barcelona's team B back in 2007 before he was appointed the first team's manager a year later.

The 52-year-old went on to win 14 major titles with the Catalan giants, including three La Liga trophies and two Champions League crowns.

After five years at the Camp Nou, Pep joined Bayern Munich, where he won a further seven major titles, including three Bundesliga crowns.

At Man City, the former player has won 12 trophies which include five EPL titles and the FA Cup.

On his part, Ferguson began his managerial career aged just 32 with East Stirlingshire.

Before he moved to Old Trafford, Fergie won 12 major trophies, including the European Super Cup with Aberdeen in 1983.

It was at Man United the 81-year-old had the biggest success of his career, as he won 38 major titles before he retired in 2013.

Of the 38 trophies, 13 were Premier League trophies, while two were UEFA Champions League crowns.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle that Guardiola faces is replicating Fergie's treble-winning season in 1999.

Pep has a golden chance to do that this season, with City still chasing the Champions League and the FA Cup after their Premier League triumph.

Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson are the only managers to win three Premier League titles in a row ????

Legends ???? pic.twitter.com/xkwH5WnTOG

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 20, 2023