Pep Guardiola joined an elite list in November when he celebrated his 1,000th game in management with victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
Bringing up four-figures was a seismic achievement for the Spaniard, after starting his dug-out days with Barcelona B in 2007, and Ignition Sports Media made sure it got the recognition it deserved in the club’s official matchday publication ‘City’. Incorporating a cover gatefold to highlight the 54-year-old’s career record, there was also a plethora of beautifully-crafted features inside the 84-page issue.
Popular Mancunian band ‘Doves’ guest-edited the publication for the visit of the reigning Premier League champions and provided a tribute to the City supremo in their Editors’ Column, as well as revealing their Greatest All-Time City XI and walked us down memory lane from their early days watching the Blues and performing at Maine Road.
Ignition Sports Media’s General Manager Dave Middleton commented: “Marking such a personal milestone for Pep was really important to us. The City boss boasts incredible numbers, having led the side to become the first team to reach 100 points in the league, the first to achieve the domestic treble and the first to win four league titles in a row.
“Making sure we recognised such a milestone in his career properly was integral and we hope that this edition showcased his illustrious career and that the cover gatefold added a prestige element to what should be a real collector’s item. We were especially pleased to see BBC Radio5 Live commentator John Murray reveal the issue across his X account from his vantage point in the Etihad pressbox.”
Guardiola has won 716 times in 1,000 matches as a manager, which has included lifting 12 top-flight titles at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, as well as three Champions League crowns and 14 other cups.
The Spaniard was inducted into the League Managers Association Hall of Fame upon reaching the landmark, with the 3-0 victory over Liverpool also taking his games for Manchester City up to 550.
Supporters wishing to obtain this issue can still do so while stocks last HERE