Pep Guardiola: 'Johan Cruyff is greatest manager'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 06 October 2016

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims that Johan Cruyff's influence on football sets him apart from others in the discussion of the greatest manager of all time.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has suggested that he believes Johan Cruyff is the greatest manager in football history.

Cruyff is widely regarded as one of the best footballers to have ever played the game, and he also forged a successful career in the dugout, winning 11 major trophies during his time with Ajax and Barcelona.

However, Guardiola believes that it is Cruyff's influence and legacy that sets him apart from managers who may have more silverware in the cabinet.

"All the people thinking about the best manager by talking about how many prizes or titles you've got, that is a huge mistake. It matters how they influence a new generation and their players," he told reporters.

"The influence of Johan is outstanding, amazing, huge. We tried to follow what he taught us. It's not comparable for another one, because he's special.

"The best managers win lots of titles by being in a big club with big players. When you're training Barcelona, Madrid, Juventus, you're going to win the titles, that's for sure. Not all the trainers, managers, make this influence he had with all of us."

Guardiola was included in Cruyff's all-time best XI, which was revealed in his posthumous autobiography.