Manchester United legend puts Manchester City boss in elite company with his former manager.
Wayne Rooney has delivered the ultimate compliment to Pep Guardiola, declaring the Manchester City manager as this generation's equivalent to Sir Alex Ferguson. The Plymouth Argyle boss, who thrived under Ferguson's legendary tenure at Old Trafford, believes Guardiola has reached that same stratospheric level of coaching excellence.
The comparison carries serious weight coming from Rooney, who witnessed Ferguson's mastery firsthand during his trophy-laden spell at United. Ferguson's 26-year reign produced 38 trophies, while Guardiola has already collected 15 major honours during his transformative eight seasons at City, revolutionizing English football with his tactical innovations.
Guardiola's influence extends far beyond Manchester, with several African stars flourishing under his guidance. Riyad Mahrez became a key figure in City's success before his departure, while the Spanish tactician has consistently shown faith in players from across the continent throughout his career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City.
The praise comes as Guardiola continues to set new benchmarks in the Premier League, with his City side having claimed six league titles since 2018. Like Ferguson before him, the Catalan coach has created a winning culture that transcends individual seasons, establishing a dynasty that could define English football for years to come.