Pep Guardiola is the manager of Man City
Pep Guardiola has admitted with a touch of humour that he is glad Carlo Ancelotti is no longer in charge of Real Madrid, joking that the Italian tactician always beats him whenever they meet.
Speaking during the off-season, the Manchester City manager didn’t shy away from praising his long-time rival while acknowledging the sting of repeated Champions League exits at Ancelotti’s hands.
“I am very happy that Carlo Ancelotti is not at Real Madrid anymore because he always beats me,” Guardiola quipped, alluding to their recent encounters in Europe.
City were knocked out by Real Madrid in the 2024/25 Champions League Round of 16, adding to a growing list of painful exits inflicted by Ancelotti’s Madrid in recent seasons.
While Guardiola’s City did get the better of Madrid in 2023, the Italian has otherwise proven to be a persistent thorn in Pep’s European ambitions.
Ancelotti has since stepped down as Real Madrid boss after a trophyless final season at the Bernabéu and is now leading the Brazil national team.
Despite ending his Madrid tenure without silverware, his legacy, especially in the Champions League, remains untouchable, with multiple triumphs including wins over Guardiola-led teams.
Though Pep’s comment was made in jest, it underscores the mutual respect between two of the greatest managers of their generation, and a rivalry that, for now, takes a pause as Ancelotti shifts focus to international football.
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