Why Pep Guardiola does not fit Juventus

Amid recent links to Juventus, questions have arisen regarding the previously-undisputed best manager in the world’s Champions League pedigree.

Pep Guardiola stands in a unique pantheon among football managers as one of the most successful managers in history just a decade into his already-distinguished career. The Catalan is known for taking his sides to the next level, playing a scintillating but demanding brand of attacking, possession-based football.

Guardiola’s domestic dominance is indisputable. He has won multiple league titles in Spain, Germany, and England with FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, with his sides frequently breaking records. Last season’s City side was one of the best in English football history under Guardiola’s stewardship, setting the top flight’s points record with 100 while also scoring the most goals in league history.

For all of the incredible accolades he has achieved in his managerial career, however, his recent continental form represents a major stain on his resumé. Guardiola has not won the Champions League since 2011 during his time at the Camp Nou, and has yet to advance past the quarterfinal stage in his three years in Manchester.

Even as City continue their quest to become the first English side in history to complete the domestic treble, this season’s quarterfinal elimination to Tottenham Hotspur continues to loom large over the Blues’ season. Although City were clearly the more talented side over the course of the two legs, Guardiola’s team selection in the first leg left too much for the Blues to overcome in a fateful second leg at the Etihad Stadium, where three cheaply conceded Tottenham goals would send City out on the away goals rule.

Although City are often hailed for their depth, rotation has honestly proven to be a weakness for Guardiola’s men this campaign. With so many top quality players at the Catalan’s disposal, he has struggled at times to determine his best eleven, with the results of his tinkering often hurting the Blues. For example, his decision to hold star attacking players Kevin de Bruyne and Leroy Sané out of the first leg in North London until an 88th minute substitution completely emasculated the Citizens’ attack, who turned out arguably their worst performance of the season.

When de Bruyne returned to the side in the second leg, the results were immediate. The Belgian provided three assists and proved that he is City’s most talented player and should be considered undroppable when healthy, even in a highly competitive City midfield. Sané’s continued absences in 2018-19 has proven inexplicable, as he has failed to feature for much of the season but dazzles repeatedly in limited action off the bench. Last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year fired City to a comeback victory against Schalke in the round of 16 away leg and lit up Wednesday’s Manchester Derby en route to a crucial 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

With that said, given that Juventus’ only true bar of success lies in the Champions League as eight-time defending Serie A champions, Guardiola may not be a fit for the Old Lady. While the Catalan is widely considered to be a better coach than Massimiliano Allegri, his taxing brand of high-press attacking football would represent a massive departure from Juventus’ previous style of play. Allegri has already steered Juve to a Champions League Final during his tenure in Turin, a stage Guardiola has not seen in eight years.

Furthermore, as one of the richest clubs in European football, City are uniquely qualified to satisfy Guardiola’s hefty transfer demands to bring in players that fit his system, whereas Juventus do not possess such financial clout.

Moreover, walking away from his City project now seems premature; while he has taken the Blues to a new level of consistent dominance that was not present during the Roberto Mancini or Manuel Pellegrini eras, City’s lofty expectations eye continental success. While they may be Europe’s best side, in three years under Guardiola, they have unequivocally failed to deliver on club football’s biggest stage.

Guardiola is one of the best managers of all time, but he is not infallible. In order to re-establish himself atop the sport’s continental competition, he should remain in Manchester and be the man to take this City side to glory in the years to come. While the prospect of potentially winning a Champions League with both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as well as domestic doubles in Spain, Germany, England, and Italy is tempting, Guardiola and City are a perfect pair that should continue their project towards European glory.