'Absolute nonsense': Gary Neville trashes Pep Guardiola myth as Man City win title

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on May 21, 2023 in Manchester, England.
(Image credit: Lexy Ilsley – Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

Gary Neville has had some strong words for those who claim any manager could achieve what Pep Guardiola has achieved with Manchester City.

City were crowned Premier League champions for the third season running after Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Guardiola has led City to five of their seven Premier League titles and has them on course for an historic treble this term, with the FA Cup and Champions League finals to come next month.

Some have questioned how much of City's dominance is down to the great Catalan tactician, given the incredible strength of their squad and immense financial resources at their disposal – but Neville is having none of it.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Manchester United legend said: "Honestly, this suggestion that you could give any manager these players and they could go and win three [trophies] is absolute nonsense. Only the greatest managers of all time have done this type of thing through the history of the last 100 years of English football, so don’t let any of that sink into your head."

Neville also praised Guardiola for getting City's campaign back on track – after they trailed Arsenal by 10 points in January. He added: "There was a tinkering from the manager that definitely played a big part in it. He didn’t play with a proper back four until March and then they started to get really good. There’s no doubt in that [early] period [of the season] they were nowhere near their level: three defeats, multiple draws.

"You don’t expect that type of run from Manchester City and I think that’s where everybody got encouragement that Arsenal could do it this year, because of City’s [poor] run."

The Premier League champions face Manchester United in the first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, June 3.

Guardiola and co. then take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul a week later.

City have never been crowned champions of Europe; they'll hope to go one better than they did two years ago, when they were beaten 1-0 in their first final by Chelsea.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...

Read more
Pep Guardiola poses with the Champions League trophy after Manchester City's win in the final over Inter in June 2023.
‘Manchester City can still win the Champions League this season, even though they haven’t been at their best – they could beat Real Madrid and go on another run’ Former Blues star isn’t ruling out a surprise European triumph
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola’s transfer admission shows change is on the cards for Manchester City
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on February 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
Manchester City report: Incredible Pep Guardiola exit claims surface, with Spaniard lined up as replacement
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Manchester City eyeing Arsenal legend as Pep Guardiola replacement: report
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is said to be pleading for more funds
Pep Guardiola issues a very blunt answer when quizzed by reporters on latest accusation levelled against Manchester City
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed