Just a year ago football fans around the world were very eager when it was announced that the two Manchester Clubs in one of the most famous football league in the world are going to appoint two of the best managers of the modern game i.e., Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho for their respective clubs. But things have not gone to plan this year. So the question arises Who has been a bigger disappointment this season, Jose or Pep ?
Once close allies at the Camp Nou and now they are the best of the enemies in the football world. They both were fierce rivals when they last managed the two Spanish superpowers in the La liga and they reignited their rivalry when they both signed for either of the Manchester clubs in the last summer transfer window.
Jose Mourinho certainly has more experience in the Premier League compared to his counterpart Pep Guardiola as the Portuguese has had two successful spells with Chelsea previously, while Pep Guardiola has never managed any Premier League side.
Jose Mourinho was signed by the Red Devils after he was sacked by the Blues as the Stamford Bridge outfit finished their 2015/2016 campaign miserably under the Portuguese leadership. Jose Mourinho came to the Old Trafford after a terrible season for Chelsea at the back of his mind.
On the other hand Pep Guardiola was riding high in Germany as he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in three consecutive seasons which is a record in itself.
Both of them have disappointed the fans this season and they have not been able to justify themselves, but Jose Mourinho has had some success as compared to Pep Guardiola. Mourinho bought four players to Old Trafford when he joined in as manager and all of them have proved to be successful signings till now. Pogba has not been as consistent as he would have liked to but that cannot be said for the great Zlatan.
Zlatan is the top scorer for the Red Devils and not far away from crossing the 30 goals mark. His presence in the team has been an inspiration for the youngsters like Rashford and Martial. Henrik Mikhitaryan has also made some important contributions in many decisive matches. Eric Bailly has proved to be one of the best signing of the summer as his addition has strengthened the defence.
He has also succeeded in bringing back players like Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, and even Mourane Fellaini to some extent. The only thing which has hindered United’s progress this season is that; they have not been to find the perfect combination in the playing 11. Although Mourinho has not been able to achieve the targets he was signed, there is no doubt that United have made some progress this year. All signs are that Mourinho and United will only get better and better before the start of the next season.
In spite of having one of the strongest squads in the league, Pep Guardiola spent nearly 200 million, the most spent by any manager in the summer transfer window. He signed the defender John Stones for 50 million from Everton who has yet not been able to justify the amount spent on him.
Guardiola also signed five attacking players in Leroy Sane, Nolito, Ikay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno and none of them have performed as per the potential they possess. He also signed Claudio Bravo from Barcelona ignoring club popular Joe Hart. Bravo and Stones were totally clueless throughout the season and can be blamed for City’s poor performance this season. None of his new signings have been able to adapt the physical nature of the premier league.
Manchester City have always been better when it comes to playing offensively. Manchester City has always played attacking football, and Pep also loves to play attacking style of football. But the main reason behind Guardiola’s failure this season is their lack of defence. City have been very much vulnerable in their defence and their opponents know how to go past their defence. Bringing in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona also did not have any impact on the defence.
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Mourinho somehow has managed to share the points rather than lose the three points and this is the reason why he has an upper hand over Guardiola this season. United drew nine home games this season and this is the most number of draws at home for United in the league for 36 years.
The main comparison is that Pep has not won any trophy for Manchester City yet, and the only trophy he can hope to win this season is the F.A. Cup. Winning the F.A. Cup might ease some pain of the fans and the supporters. His counterpart Mourinho has already delivered his first silverware when he won the EFL cup for the Red Devils.
He also became the first manager for United to win a trophy at Old Trafford in his debut season. He also has the best chance to win the Europa League this season. And if the United wins the Europa League this season then they automatically qualify for the champions league spot for the following season regardless of their position on the league table.
Mourinho has been somewhat successful this season, while Guardiola has been a real disappointment. But one cannot blame Guardiola as this is his debut season in the Premier League and he is adjusting to the nature of the league. Both the Manchester Clubs are out of the title race realistically and mathematically this season.
Guardiola and Mourinho are both competing to finish in the champions league spot. With both the managers relishing lives at the either club all eyes will be on their next season as there are many high expectations from the masters of the modern game.
