Jamie Redknapp labelled Pep Guardiola the greatest manager in history ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson after he guided Manchester City to their fifth Premier League title in six years.
Guardiola’s side celebrated their latest title triumph with a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday after Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest a day earlier had confirmed them as champions.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has now won 11 league titles in 14 seasons in management, joining Manchester United legend Ferguson as one of only two managers to have won the English crown in three consecutive years.
Redknapp believes City boss Guardiola is ahead of 13-time title winner Ferguson, however, by virtue of how his preferred playing style has transformed modern football.
“I think he’s the greatest ever and why I say that is that he has changed football,” said the Sky Sports pundit as City celebrated their success at the Etihad Stadium.
READ ALSO: Angry Vinicius Jr says La Liga belongs to racists after crowd chants at Valencia
There have been some great managers. You go through history, Arrigo Sacchi, what he did with AC Milan, Johan Cruyff… Managers who have changed things forever, and he is certainly one of them.
“When you go and watch football now, be it grassroots or whatever, everybody plays the Pep way. People play out from the back when we thought it is impossible.
“He has changed peoples’ perception of the game. You have midfield players and defenders going into different areas, playing out, splitting defences, and for me, he is the greatest ever.
“He has won 11 domestic titles in the 14 years he’s been a manager, 28 major trophies. You can talk about Sir Alex Ferguson, and Bill Shankly as well. There have been some amazing managers.
“But for me he has changed football forever.”
