Pep Guardiola’s Coaching Tree: Who’s Doing What Now

Talking about the greatest managers in football history, the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Mircea Lucescu, and Pep Guardiola often lead the conversation. Among them, Pep Guardiola, the 54-year-old Spaniard, stands out as a transformational figure whose coaching philosophy has reshaped the modern game. From Barcelona to Bayern Munich to Manchester City, Pep has dominated the top European leagues and built a legacy defined by innovation, control, and a relentless winning culture.

But Guardiola’s influence goes far beyond trophies and records. His impact is visible through an ever-growing coaching tree of former players and assistants who learned under him, absorbed his tactical principles, and later stepped into their own managerial roles across Europe.

Through this blog on 96.com, we explore how Pep Guardiola won 40 trophies in 18 years and reshaped modern football, influencing managers.

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List of seven principal branches from Pep Guardiola

• Mikel Arteta: Man City assistant coach (2016-2019).
• Enzo Maresca: Man City reserves manager (2020-2021) and Man City assistant (2022-2023)
• Xavi Hernández: Player at Barcelona (2008-2012) and Barcelona manager (2021-2024).
• Luis Enrique: Barcelona reserves manager (2008-2011)
• Xabi Alonso: Player under Pep-era influences and later a Guardiola-style coach at Bayern Leverkusen (2014-2016)
• Vincent Kompany: Man City player (2016-2019).
• Erik ten Hag: Reserves manager at Bayern (2013-2015)

About these Managers & Players

Mikel Arteta

Former Arsenal midfielder who worked under Pep at Manchester City as an assistant (2016-2019). Arteta borrowed Pep’s positional ideas, ball circulation and press triggers while developing his own man-management and defensive structure. He’s been the Arsenal manager since 2019 and transformed them into a title contender using possession structure.

Enzo Maresca

Long-time Pep disciple in Manchester City’s coaching setup (youth/reserves/assistant roles). Maresca has combined Guardiola-style positional principles with intense counter-pressing. In 2024, he took the Chelsea job and, in his first full season, built a possession-based side that finished high in the Premier League and won European silverware.

Xavi Hernández

Barça legend who played in the Pep-era Barcelona, Spain ecosystem and later returned as Barcelona manager (2021-2024). Xavi’s football philosophy (possession, short passing, verticality) shares DNA with Guardiola’s Barcelona. After parting ways with Barça in 2024, he took a sabbatical and, as of late 2025, is reportedly waiting for the right project to come along before returning.

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Luis Enrique

A coach who forged his own path (successful Barcelona and Spain spells) but who sits in the same tactical family, emphasising flexible possession, vertical transitions and attacking full-backs. He moved to Paris Saint-Germain in July 2023 and has kept PSG at the top domestically and guided them to win their first-ever Champions League title while pushing for European success.

Xabi Alonso

A deep-lying midfield brain who absorbed elite managers’ ideas as a player and converted them into a modern, positional coaching style. After turning Bayer Leverkusen into a dominant force, Alonso moved to Real Madrid as head coach in mid-2025, a high-profile step that proves the Guardiola-inspired coaching path is a direct route to elite jobs.

Vincent Kompany

An authoritative centre-back at Manchester City under Pep, who later entered management. Kompany’s teams carry an organised defensive spine plus aggressive build-up from the back, traits that echo Pep’s standards for centre-back involvement. In 2024-25, he moved to Bayern Munich as head coach and has been managing at the highest level in Germany as of late 2025.

Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag’s résumé includes time in Germany and the Netherlands; it lists him as Bayern reserves manager (2013-2015). After a high-profile spell at Manchester United, ten Hag took the Bayer Leverkusen job in 2025, a move that ultimately ended badly as his time in Leverkusen was short-lived (sacked after a difficult start in 2025). His path shows the coaching carousel’s volatility even for experienced managers.

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Achievements of these Players or managers

Clubs and Major Trophies: Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has won a total of 40 major trophies across his managerial career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City over the span of 18 years. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest tactical minds in football history.

At Manchester City, Guardiola created a new benchmark for success, winning six Premier League titles for the Citizens, leading the club with unmatched discipline, temperament, and consistency. Since taking charge in 2016, he has managed over 550 matches for City, winning 395 of them, and establishing one of the most dominant eras in English football that has ever been seen.

Regardless of the ongoing season with City, his record shows that he has almost won every major trophy possible with the clubs he has led, cementing his place among football’s most influential and successful managers of all time.

Pep Guardiola’s legacy goes far beyond winning 40 major trophies in 18 years with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. His philosophy of discipline, intelligence and positional football has shaped a new generation of managers, including Arteta, Alonso, Kompany and Maresca. More than titles, Pep built a blueprint that transformed modern football. He didn’t just dominate leagues; he inspired leaders and changed how the game is played forever.

What do you think of Pep Guardiola’s terrific journey? Share your thoughts in the comment section, and don’t forget to follow About96 for the latest football updates.

FAQs

1. How many trophies has Pep Guardiola won as a manager?

Pep Guardiola has won 40 major trophies across Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, making him one of the most successful managers in football history.

2. Which clubs has Pep Guardiola managed?

Pep has managed FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, dominating top European leagues and winning major titles with each.

3. What makes Pep Guardiola one of the greatest managers ever?

Pep revolutionised football through positional play, tactical innovation, discipline, and player development, influencing coaches and teams worldwide.

4. Who are the top managers influenced by Pep Guardiola?

Key names include Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, Luis Enrique, Enzo Maresca, Vincent Kompany, and Erik ten Hag, all part of Pep’s coaching tree.

5. Has Pep Guardiola won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City?

Yes, he won the Champions League with Manchester City in 2022–23, completing a historic treble

Warren Pits

Warren holds a degree in Statistics and Sports Management from the University of Liverpool and has more than seven years of experience in football betting analysis. He specialises in breaking down odds, comparing betting markets, and helping readers understand betting mechanics in a clear, practical way. At About96.com, Warren focuses on responsible betting education, using data-driven research and honest insights to help fans make smarter, more informed decisions.

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