Pep Guardiola celebrated a landmark moment in his managerial career on Sunday, overseeing his 1,000th game in charge with a convincing victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The 54-year-old Spaniard, who has now won 716 of those matches, appeared revitalised as his Manchester City side climbed to second in the Premier League table, four points behind leaders Arsenal.
The triumph marked not only a personal milestone but also the resurgence of a City team intent on reclaiming domestic dominance.
After a demanding 2024 campaign that left both Guardiola and his players visibly fatigued, City have entered a new phase underpinned by fresh energy and tactical evolution.
The manager admitted that last season’s struggles, coupled with injuries and the emotional toll of four consecutive league titles, had taken their toll.
However, he now insists his side are “growing every month” and have “their energy back,” confident that the club’s latest rebuild will power another title challenge.
Guardiola’s adaptability has been key to this revival. While City continue to prioritise their trademark passing football, the team has added new dimensions to their play, including a willingness to go long to star striker Erling Haaland when required.
The Norwegian once again proved decisive against Liverpool, scoring his 14th league goal of the season from a Matheus Nunes cross.
Statistics show that City have also increased their overall intensity, covering more ground than any other Premier League side this season, an indication of Guardiola’s renewed drive.
Despite a summer of significant change that saw key figures like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, and Ederson depart, City have regained their trademark consistency.
The emergence of new stars such as Nico Gonzalez, Jeremy Doku, and Nico O’Reilly has rejuvenated the squad.
Gonzalez has flourished in Rodri’s absence, while O’Reilly earned Guardiola’s praise for his disciplined display in containing Mohamed Salah.
The City boss also lauded Bernardo Silva, describing him as “a master” in Sunday’s commanding performance.
Guardiola’s milestone win has reaffirmed that Manchester City remain a force to be reckoned with.
