Will Pep Guardiola end up with more Premier League Manager of the Month awards than the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson?For that to happen the Manchester City boss still has an awful lot of catching up to do, despite winning the award an impressive 11 times since arriving in England six years ago.Guardiola has already won more Manager of the Month awards than Jose Mourinho, Rafael Benitez, David Moyes, Claudio Ranieri and, well, pretty much every other top coach in Premier League history.Aside from Ferguson, Arsene Wenger is the only person to have won more Premier League Manager of the Month awards than Guardiola. Over the course of his illustrious 22-year spell in charge of the Gunners, Wenger won the accolade an impressive 15 times.But even Wenger’s tally pales in comparison to Ferguson’s.
ARSENAL'S MANGER WENGER AND MANCHESTER UNITED'S FERGUSON SHAKE HANDS BEFORE THEIR FA CUP SEMI FINAL MATCH IN BIRMINGHAM. Arsenal's French manger Arsene Wenger (L) and Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson smile and shake hands before their FA Cup semi-final match at Villa Park in Birmingham April 3, 2004. NO ONLINE/INTERNET USE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE +44 207 298 1656 REUTERS/Simon Bellis
Pep Guardiola's reaction to Sir Alex Ferguson's record
When Guardiola won the award for the 11th time in December 2021 (yep, he didn’t win it again for the rest of the 2021-22 season, despite the fact City were eventually crowned champions), he was left stunned when informed about Ferguson’s record.
A reporter asked Guardiola: “You’ve won 11 now, Pep – only Wenger and Ferguson have won more than you. So, is that something for you to be proud of?â€
The City boss, with a wry smile on his face, replied: “Be careful, Sir Alex, Arsene… I’m coming…â€
The reporter then said: “[Ferguson] won 27, Pep, so not too many…â€
Guardiola’s reaction was superb.
“How many?!†he said. “Oh my god!
“Okay… it belongs to him!
“I will not chase him for sure.â€
Watch the funny video here:
Yes, Ferguson really did win the Premier League Manager of the Month award an incredible 27 times.
He won the inaugural Manager of the Month award in August 1993, while his 27th award win came 19 years later in October 2012, during his final season as a manager.
It’s hard to see any manager equalling the record of Ferguson, winning of 13 Premier League titles, including Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp.
Football - Manchester United v Arsenal Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford - 13/4/08
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and his manager Sir Alex Ferguson before the game receive Barclays awards for Manager of the Month and Player of the Month
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Michael Regan
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Which coaches have the most PL Manager of the Month awards?
Here’s a list of every coach to have won two or more Premier League Manager of the Month awards:
Two Manager of the Month awards
André Villas-Boas
Thomas Tuchel
Phil Thompson
Graeme Souness
Peter Reid
Tony Pulis
Roberto Mancini
Paul Jewell
Glenn Hoddle
John Gregory
Roy Evans
Sean Dyche
Kenny Dalglish
Owen Coyle
Steve Coppell
Frank Clark
Mikel Arteta
NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JULY 08: Mikel Arteta reacts during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal F.C. at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 08, 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Three Manager of the Month awards
Brendan Rodgers
Stuart Pearce
Alan Pardew
David O’Leary
Ronald Koeman
Gérard Houllier
Alan Curbishley
Antonio Conte
NORWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Antonio Conte, the Tottenham Hotspur manager looks on during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur at Carrow Road on May 22, 2022 in Norwich, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Four Manager of the Month awards
Gordon Strachan
Mauricio Pochettino
Manuel Pellegrini
José Mourinho
Joe Kinnear
Roy Hodgson
Nuno EspÃrito Santo
Eddie Howe
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United applauds the fans following their side's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St. James Park on May 16, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Five Manager of the Month awards
Claudio Ranieri
Kevin Keegan
Carlo Ancelotti
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Everton Head Coach / Manager Carlo Ancelotti films the stadium with his mobile phone prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Six Manager of the Month awards
Bobby Robson
Sam Allardyce
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Sam Allardyce, manager of Sunderland celebrates staying in the Premier League after victory during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at the Stadium of Light on May 11, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Seven Manager of the Month awards
Rafael BenÃtez
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Rafael Benitez, manager of Newcastle United acknowledges the fans during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 20, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Eight Manager of the Month awards
Martin O’Neill
Harry Redknapp
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MAY 09 : Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp applauds the fans during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on May 09, 2010 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Nine Manager of the Month awards
Jürgen Klopp
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool FC at Molineux on January 23, 2020 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
10 Manager of the Month awards
David Moyes
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United celebrates following the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
11 Manager of the Month awards
Pep Guardiola
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City celebrates after their side finished the season as Premier League champions during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on May 22, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
15 Manager of the Month awards
Arsène Wenger
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says goodbye to the Arsenal fans after 22 years at the helm at the end of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Burnley at Emirates Stadium on May 6, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
27 Manager of the Month awards
Alex Ferguson
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with the Premier League trophy following the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford on May 12, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)