Pep vs Klopp: Who is the better football manager as of 2022?

Pep vs Klopp: Who is the better football manager as of 2022?

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:58 PM

Today, soccer has witnessed a few managerial rivalries with a narrative of mutual respect and discipline. In other words, a fuel that is somewhat fiercely competitive yet friendly. From the legendary duel between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to Mourinho's bitter feud with the latter, not many managers have been capable of maintaining a conducive state without accelerating to hostility. But the question is, Pep vs Klopp, who is the better football manager?

Pep vs Klopp
The Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola saga. Photo: @BeFunky.com (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are two accomplished and well-established tacticians who have shared the Premier League stage while running two of the most formidable teams, Liverpool and Manchester City. An excellent example of rivalry between managers is when Guardiola took over Bayern Munich, and Klopp managed Borussia Dortmund. But that is just how battles for power and superiority are, regardless of whether it is on the soccer pitch, a nation's government, an office or the kitchen.

Jurgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola

Who is the better football manager between the two? Before we categorise these legends according to their tactics, net spend, trophies, and respective teams, here are short profiles of the two legendary managers.

Jurgen Klopp's profile summary

  • Full name: Jurgen Klopp
  • Date of birth: 16 June 1967
  • Age: 54 years old as of March 2022
  • Zodiac sign: Gemini
  • Height: 6'4" or 193 centimetres
  • Place of birth: Stuttgart, West Germany
  • Nationality: German
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Current team: Liverpool
  • Net worth: Approximately $50 million
  • Instagram: @juergenklopp_
  • Twitter: @JurgenOfficial
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool during the FA Cup match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at the City Ground, Nottingham. Photo: Jon Hobley
Source: Getty Images

Pep Guardiola's profile summary

  • Full name: Josep Pep Guardiola Sala
  • Date of birth: 18 January 1971
  • Age: 51 years old as of March 2022
  • Zodiac sign: Capricorn
  • Height: 5'11" or 180 centimetres
  • Place of birth: Santpedor, Spain
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Current team: Manchester City
  • Net worth: Approximately $40 million
  • Instagram: @mrpepguardiola
  • Twitter: @PepTeam
Pep Guardiola
Head Coach, Pep Guardiola, of Manchester City gestures during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and Manchester City in Southampton, England. Photo: Robin Jones
Source: Getty Images

Pep vs Klopp in terms of trophies

When there is a discussion about Klopp vs Pep in the Premier League, the most frequent question pops up: Who has won more trophies than the other?

Jurgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola in Germany

Below is the number of trophies the two managers have won since their careers debuted.

Klopp's trophy count at Borussia Dortmund

These are the number of times Klopp won the trophies before Pep arrived at Bayern.

  • (2010/11), (2011/12) Bundesliga
  • (2011–12) DFB Pokal
  • (2013, 2014) DFL Supercup

Guardiola's trophy count at Bayern Munich

Below are the number of trophies Guardiola won after Klopp left Borussia Dortmund.

  • (2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16) Bundesliga
  • (2013/14, 2015/16) DFB - Pokal
  • (2013) UEFA Super Cup
  • (2013) FIFA Club World Cup

Pep vs Klopp's head to head record in Germany

Below is the head to head record between the two legendary managers. They have participated in 8 matches, each winning 4, and 24 goals scored against each other.

Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool before the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on March 20, 2022 in Nottingham, England. Photo: Andrew Powell
Source: Getty Images

2013/14 season

  • Dortmund (4) Bayern (2) German Super Cup
  • Bayern (3) Dortmund (0) Bundesliga
  • Dortmund (3) Bayern (0) Bundesliga
  • Bayern (2) Dortmund (0) German Cup (Finals)

2014/15 season

  • Dortmund (2) Bayern (0) German Super Cup
  • Bayern (2) Dortmund (1) Bundesliga
  • Dortmund (2) Bayern (1) Bundesliga
  • Bayern Munich (1) Dortmund (1) German Cup semi-finals Dortmund won 2-0 on penalties

Guardiola vs Klopp in England

The following trophy count is of Pep at Man City vs Klopp at Liverpool.

Guardiola trophy count at Manchester City

  • (2017/18, 2018/19) Premier League
  • (2018/19) FA Cup
  • (2017/18, 2018/19) EFL Cup
  • (2018, 2019) FA Community Shield

Klopp trophy count at Liverpool

  • (2018/19) UEFA Champions League
  • (2019) UEFA Super Cup

Pep vs Klopp's head to head record in England

Pep Guardiola
Manchester City's Pep Guardiola in action during training at Manchester City Academy Stadium in Manchester, England. Photo: Tom Flathers
Source: Getty Images

The two legendary managers have participated in 10 matches, with each of them winning and 30 goals scored against each other.

2016/17 season

  • Liverpool (1) Manchester City (0) Premier League
  • Manchester City (1) Liverpool (1) Premier League

2017/18 season

  • Manchester City (5) Liverpool (0) Premier League
  • Liverpool (4) Manchester City (3) Premier League
  • Liverpool (3) Manchester City (0) Champions League
  • Manchester City (1) Liverpool (2) Champions League

2018/19 season

  • Liverpool (0) Manchester City (0) Premier League
  • Manchester City (2) Liverpool (1) Premier League
  • 2019/20 season
  • Liverpool (1) Manchester City (1): Pep's side 5-4 on penalties - Community Shield
  • Liverpool (3) Manchester City (1) Premier League

Pep vs Klopp in terms of tactics

Pep's Manchester City is known for a free-flowing soccer brand, while Klopp's Liverpool is well-credited in their intense style of soccer that sees a team press high when out of possession.

And while Guardiola has maintained his philosophy, Klopp, on the other hand, has evolved beyond his usual high-pressing game.

Liverpool recorded the best defensive record in the Premier League during the last season as they conceded 22 times in 38 games. As a result, they boasted the second-highest goal-scoring record with 89 league goals.

Manchester City has the best goal-scoring record this season, with a staggering 35 times score in only 12 games.

Are managerial rivalries still relevant in modern football?

Yes, it is as essential as can be. This healthy rivalry ensures particular teams remain focused and on track, remembering their primary goal. Therefore, every football fan must not take any rivalry personally as it is just a natural phenomenon, especially in these kinds of competitions.

Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp
Pep Guardiola with Jurgen Klopp at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool, England. Photo: Andrew Powell
Source: Getty Images

Pep vs Klopp in terms of net spend

Every manager often wants the best for their team. Therefore they ensure that their particular team is at its peak, even though it means spending that extra coin.

Pep Guardiola's net spend - (1.02 billion)

Pep's pursuit for luxury at Manchester City has been massively bankrolled by Sheikh Mansour, and seen in the total figures attests to how heavily the Spaniard is willing to do for his team.

Allegedly, until Man City gets their hands on the Champions League, it will be difficult for the team to slow down on its spending. Besides, these figures should not be surprising considering Pep Guardiola is a lavish spender.

Jurgen Klopp's net spend - (580 million)

Although he is not much of a spendthrift like Pep, he still ensures that his team get the best of the best, even though it means purchasing the most expensive transfers into his team.

The Pep vs Klopp comparison is undoubtedly one of the best managerial rivalries ever recorded. And while their respective teams, Manchester City and Liverpool, are notably the best sides in England, it becomes somewhat challenging to tell who the guru between them is. However, from the trophy count and tactics discussed above, you can now decide for yourself who the better manager is. Let us know who you choose!

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.