Pep Guardiola's 500th game at Manchester City: A journey full of rise and downfalls

On Sunday, Manchester City will host Leicester City at the King Power Stadium after their 1-1 draw with Everton. Pep Guardiola's team will also need to win this Premier League match to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. Pep Guardiola, however, will be managing Manchester City for the 500th time when they play Leicester City. Guardiola has given City supporters the ride of their lives while serving as manager.

Pep Guardiola has led Manchester City to the pinnacle of the league since succeeding Manuel Pellegrini as manager. Guardiola was predicted to guide City to victory. His reputation has grown even more throughout his illustrious tenure as Manchester City's manager. In 2016–17, Guardiola's first City squad was a complete shamble. 

Two players, defender Nicolas Otamendi and forward Sergio Aguero, both 28 years old, were outstanding, while midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 25, was outstanding and approaching his prime. However, before Guardiola's arrival, the team itself had been allowed to get stagnant, and costly (and youthful) recent recruits like Raheem Sterling, John Stones, and Leroy Sane were still developing and needed time to adapt to Guardiola's demands.

Manchester City supporters will always remember the journey they have seen under Guardiola's leadership. The way Pep Guardiola's team earned the titles and how they were claimed says a lot about the manager of Manchester City and his ambition for achievement. Six Premier League titles in seven seasons is an incredible accomplishment. English football has never seen a Premier League champion winning four straight titles.

Our upcoming clash against Leicester will be Pep's 500th game as Manchester City manager 🩵

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 27, 2024

The 22–23 season's treble victory was yet another outstanding accomplishment. Pep Guardiola has created a winning machine in Manchester City, which is evident when you combine that with Manchester City's centurions season and the domestic quadruple. But after 499 games, Pep Guardiola and City are currently struggling in football competition.  Ruben Dias, midfielders Matheus Nunes and Phil Foden, and attacker Erling Haaland are all in the prime age bracket. A season marked by some high points and a 14-match winning streak has been derailed by injury and staleness, and Guardiola has once again made irrational threats of being sacked.

Pep Guardiola's record at Man City is untouchable 

Getting close to his 500th Manchester City match Pep Guardiola's legacy is safe. He will be remembered as one of the best managers in Manchester City's history. Even with City's recent poor performance, his accomplishments are self-evident to his legendary status. 

Guardiola will undoubtedly concentrate on creating the next era of dominance for his squad. But it's time to take a moment to commemorate his incredible tenure as Manchester City manager before his 500th game in that role. It has exceeded every expectation and provided Manchester City supporters with an unforgettable experience.