Pep Guardiola: Michael Owen says Manchester City boss 'tactically the best manager on planet, possibly ever'

TNT Sports pundit Michael Owen believes Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could be "tactically the best manager" the game has ever seen.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a sensational career as a head coach, winning league titles with three different clubs and lifting the UEFA Champions League on three occasions.

He has also created a dynasty at Manchester City, who landed a sensational Treble in 2022/23.

That feat could be repeated this season, with the Citizens embroiled in a Premier League title race, into the last eight of the European Cup and through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Owen says Guardiola is somebody he would have loved to have had as his manager during his playing career.

"I think he would teach you so much about the game," he told TNT Sports. "He's a student of the game. He's probably tactically the best manager on the planet at the moment, possibly ever.

"It would be a fascinating insight just to sit in the dressing room for a season with Pep Guardiola."

The only manager with more Champions League crowns to his name is Carlo Ancelotti, whose Real Madrid team face Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.

It was the English club who came out on top when the two teams met in the last four of the competition 12 months ago, when City ruthlessly brushed aside Real 5-1 on aggregate.

Owen believes they are two different kinds of manager, adding: "Ancelotti is a real players' friend, let's say.

"Every player that plays under him loves him, loves the atmosphere he creates and loves the man management, and of course he's tactically astute.

"He understands the player. He picks good teams. He's got the lot.

"Whereas I think Pep Guardiola wouldn't have that relationship necessarily with players, but tactically, he is probably better than anything we've ever seen before.

"He's absolutely exceptional."

The first leg of the quarter-final tie marks Ancelotti's 200th on the touchline in the Champions League.

TNT Sports pundit Joleon Lescott played under Guardiola during his time at Manchester City, and added: "I think he [Ancelotti] is well respected throughout the game. I think they both are, for different reasons.

"As a player, you come away from Pep recognising what he's done for your career, individually and collectively as a team. You probably win more and be more of a threat.

"From Carlo, I get the impression he understands how to motivate individuals, rather than a team, as well as Pep. He identifies the nuances that an individual may need and recognises that you may want to adapt your training methods.

"Pep's more of a 'this is what we need to be successful.'

"They're both very successful. There's no right or wrong way to manage a team. But I respect them to the same degree in different ways."

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