Sir Alex Ferguson pays tribute to Pep Guardiola after Hall of Fame induction | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has received a special tribute from Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson following the Catalan’s latest achievement in football.

This latest milestone of reaching 1,000 matches in management comes as Manchester City prepare to face Liverpool in the English top-flight on Sunday afternoon – a club that has defined one of Pep Guardiola’s fiercest modern rivalries.

The achievement serves as further proof of the longevity and influence the 54-year-old has had across European football, from his groundbreaking Barcelona side to the relentless success of his ongoing City project following on from his hugely successful spell with Bayern Munich.

The League Managers Association recognises managers who have reached the 1,000-game landmark across their careers, and Pep Guardiola joins an exclusive club of modern era tacticians in English football.

The League Managers Association has formally announced the induction of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola into their ‘LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club’, after the 54-year-old became only the 39th manager in the modern era of English football to reach a milestone of managing 1,000 matches when his side face Liverpool this weekend.

Reacting to the honour, Guardiola said, “Being a member of the League Managers Association is very important to me so I am really, really honoured to join the LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club.

“I am humbled to be inducted into such an esteemed club that includes Sir Alex Ferguson and many managerial peers that I have enjoyed competing against over the years. I am so proud to be reaching 1,000 games as a manager which has always been a special ambition for me.

“I would like to pay tribute to my family and friends for their support over the years as well as my players, staff and colleagues at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City who have helped me to reach this special landmark.”

Also offering their congratulations as part of a wider tribute to Pep Guardiola, fellow LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club member Sir Alex Ferguson said, “Pep! I am absolutely delighted to welcome you to join the prestigious LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club.

“Your deep love and passion for the game has always been so evident and you should be very proud of the indelible impact you continue to have across the global game.”

The Manchester United legend continued, “Reaching 1,000 matches and achieving such longevity in football is a landmark that can never be underestimated and, to continue to deliver league, Champions League and domestic cup titles in three of Europe’s most competitive leagues is outstanding.

“I look forward to celebrating with you at an LMA gala dinner to formally induct you into the LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club.”

The exchange between Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola marks an unsurprising moment of mutual respect between two of football’s greatest managerial figures – one who defined an era at Manchester United and another currently doing the same at Manchester City.

Guardiola’s induction further cements his status among the all-time greats within the game, while Ferguson’s warm message underscores the enduring admiration between two giants of the sport.

Pep Guardiola will have little time to dwell on the honour, with City’s pursuit of domestic and European glory. Yet this milestone – and Ferguson’s tribute – serve as fitting recognition of a career that has reshaped football philosophy and redefined success at every level.