Pep Guardiola: When Samuel Eto’o Rated Mourinho Ahead of Man City Coach With Champions League Dig

• Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have defined coaching since the turn of the millennium
• Their styles differ from each other, yet their desire to attain success remains unparalleled
• Samuel Etoo'o, who played for both Jose and Pep, once had a take on who was the better

Pep Guardiola is widely hailed as the preeminent manager of his era and, by extension, as one of the greatest coaches ever to grace the sport.

The Spanish tactician revolutionised the game with his iconic tiki-taka style during his tenure at Barcelona.

His influence on modern football is profound, with fans and pundits alike considering it a sacrilege for any manager to deviate from the "Pep way."

While his Manchester City team and all the clubs he has managed consistently deliver mesmerising football, Guardiola has also successfully blended his aesthetically pleasing style with a knack for winning trophies.

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With an illustrious managerial career boasting 11 league titles in 14 seasons, the 53-year-old stands alongside legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as one of only two managers to have secured the Premier League crown in three consecutive years, according to Sky Sports.

This remarkable achievement and many more have made Guardiola the envy of many.

Eto'o shades Guardiola, rates Mourinho

However, he also faces criticism for opting to coach powerhouse teams, which some perceive as taking the 'easier' path. This perspective led Samuel Eto'o to question his level of greatness compared to Jose Mourinho.

According to the four-time African Footballer of the Year, Guardiola's stature is diminished because he failed to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich.

Eto'o is in a unique position to assess both coaches, having won the Champions League under the guidance of both. He once disclosed that there isn't much in common between the two while showing where his loyalties lie.

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"You cannot compare José Mourinho to Pep Guardiola; one of them failed to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich while the other won it with Porto," the now Cameroon FA boss said as quoted by Football Tweet.

Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho

Mourinho and Guardiola were once colleagues at Barcelona but later became fierce adversaries as managers.

They have been two of the most influential figures in football since the early 2000s, achieving remarkable success throughout their careers.

Their rivalry intensified during a memorable Champions League semi-final clash between Inter and Barcelona, as noted by GOAL.

It reached a boiling point when Mourinho took charge of Real Madrid, resulting in controversial incidents such as Mourinho poking Guardiola's assistant, Tito Vilanova, in the eye during a heated Clasico in 2011.

Expectations were high for more drama when Guardiola became the manager of Manchester City in 2016, with Mourinho at the helm of Manchester United.

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However, the anticipated rivalry failed to live up to its full potential as City dominated the Premier League, clinching the title with a record-breaking 100 points.

Eto'o among top 7 strikers coached by Guardiola

Even if Pep Guardiola were to retire today, his legacy as one of football's greatest managers is firmly secured, adorned with countless moments of brilliance and greatness.

Sports Brief delves into the top seven strikers who have graced the field under the tutelage of the Spanish maestro, featuring stars like Sergio Aguero and Samuel Eto'o.