Rio Ferdinand disagreed with pundit in Pep Guardiola vs Sir Alex Ferguson debate

Manchester City’s title triumph last summer prompted a fierce debate between pundits, including ex United star Rio Ferdinand, about how Pep Guardiola compares to Sir Alex Ferguson.

City claimed their third title victory Guardiola in May — although they are yet to taste European success under the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss. Immediately after the final whistle of United’s defeat to Leicester at Old Trafford last season — which sealed City’s win — praise was heaped upon Guardiola for steering the Blues to their fifth title in a decade.

While Ferguson achieved long-lasting success at United, winning 13 Premier League titles between 1992 and 2013, it was debated in May 2021 whether Guardiola has matched, or even surpassed, the legendary Scot.

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Former United academy graduate Robbie Savage said on BT Sport that Guardiola now has the edge.

He said: “Listen, the reason I’m saying this: Sir Alex, the record he has, but overall, at Bayern, Barcelona and Manchester City – the way teams from the Premier League down to grassroots play like Manchester City. I’ve never seen anything like it. Listen, he’s won trophies with teams he should win trophies with. If he wins the Champions League with Man City, for me, the best ever.

“Especially to think when they lost at Spurs, they were 14th in the table. He then evolved the side, put [Joao] Cancelo into the team, brought him into a midfield position, a free role, amazing performances. Pep improves players and that side is incredible. For me, the best manager I’ve witnessed in the Premier League.”

Ferdinand vehemently disagreed, telling Savage to ‘get his coat’, praising Guardiola but insisting Ferguson was the greater manager.

“You’ve got to give credit where it’s due,” said the former United defender. “Pep Guardiola’s men have bounced back, I thought Liverpool were fantastic the season before this and everyone thought: ‘Who are going to catch them?’.

“Pep went back to the drawing board, fixed things up at Man City and they came back flying, took the league by storm and deserved champions, definitely.”

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