Premier League

The most-used XI of Guardiola’s managerial career: Messi, Pique, KDB…

The most-used XI of Guardiola's managerial career: Messi, Pique, KDB...

Pep Guardiola is widely regarded as the finest coach of his generation. He’s been incredibly successful across his time at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City and been blessed with some incredible players across his managerial career.

“I was a lucky person being in Barcelona, Bayern and here, I train incredible players,” Guardiola told ManCity.com.

But which have been his most trusted lieutenants since he first took a coaching role with Barcelona B back in 2007? We’ve taken a look at Guardiola’s all-time most-used XI. You won’t be surprised that this is an absolutely incredible team.

GK: Ederson

Victor Valdes was Guardiola’s trusty No.1 during his four years in charge of Barcelona, but Ederson has recently surpassed the former Spain international as the Catalan tactician’s most-used goalkeeper.

While Guardiola had no doubts about who to choose between the sticks at Barcelona at Bayern, it was a problem position in his early days at Man City. He inherited Joe Hart but didn’t trust him to play out from the back, while replacement Claudio Bravo was erratic and error-prone.

Only after a year at the Etihad did Guardiola find his man. Brazilian ‘keeper Ederson arrived for a £34million fee in the summer of 2017 and has never looked back.

He’s made 275 appearances for City and has been integral to them winning four Premier League titles in the last five years.

RB: Kyle Walker

Dani Alves was a key player for four successive seasons under Guardiola at the Camp Nou, but now England international Walker is into his sixth campaign playing under Pep, having arrived alongside Ederson back in 2017.

The 32-year-old right-back remains a firm favourite.

CB: John Stones

One of Guardiola’s first seven summer signings from when he arrived in Manchester back in 2016, Stones hasn’t always been the manager’s first-choice option in the centre of defence but has worked hard to play a role throughout.

With 224 appearances for City, the 28-year-old has played more for Guardiola than any other centre-back. He remains contracted at the Etihad until 2026, so expect him to add plenty to that tally in the coming years.

CB: Gerard Pique

Alongside getting rid of the likes of Deco and Ronaldinho, one of the key decisions Guardiola made when he took over at Barcelona was to bring home La Masia graduate Pique.

The…

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