Pep Guardiola is, without doubt, one of the best managers of all time. His spell at Manchester City is proof of that, with the club dominating the domestic scene ever since his appointment back in the summer of 2016.
However, nearly a decade on, and the club have just one Champions League title to their name. That, of course, was achieved when they won the treble back in 2023 - emulating fierce rivals Manchester United in the process.
Last night, City were always up against it. They travelled to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid 3-2 down from the first leg following late drama at the Etihad Stadium last week. Jude Bellingham, who was sent off at the weekend, bagged the winner that night.
And the writing was on the wall early doors, when Kylian Mbappe struck in the fourth minute of the match. By the end of the night, he would be going home with the ball after an outstanding hat-trick that has ignited his career in Spain.
Pep Guardiola oversaw Man City's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid last night
REUTERS
Guardiola, for his part, was pessimistic before kick off - giving his team just a one per cent chance of going through.
He also fronted up in the aftermath of the clash, saying: “When you finish 22nd [in the Champions League group phase] it’s because you haven’t been good.
“It’s the year we’ve been the worst. We don’t have the rhythm that Madrid has right now. There is nothing to add, they were the better team. You have to accept the reality.
“In the past maybe it has hurt more. [It’s not] impotence, no. We have been a great team and this year for many reasons we are not.
“We have achieved something unique in our country and in Europe, we have won once and we have been there many times. Decisions [are] to be made at a team level and by everyone and now to qualify among the top four or five to return.”
As mentioned above, there can be no doubting what Guardiola has achieved throughout his time in the City dugout. Six Premier League titles, including four in a row, is nothing short of sensational.
But when he was hired in 2016, it wasn't just to dominate domestically. He was meant to lead City to multiple Champions League titles. The best manager in the world, with unlimited resources at his disposal. The prospect was frightening.
Yet City continue to underwhelm in Europe. Two finals in nine seasons, for a club possessing some of the finest players on the planet, leaves a lot to be desired.
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Pep Guardiola has won the Champions League just once at Man City since taking over back in 2016
PA
They would have won league titles under Manuel Pellegrini, the manager before Guardiola. Of course they likely wouldn't have dominated as much but trophies would, in all likelihood, have still arrived at the club.
Yet it was with winning the Champions League, and dominating Europe, in mind when City gave him the keys to the Etihad all those years ago.
City should have won it in 2021. They were the best team on the planet that year but couldn't find a way past Chelsea, who won 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Kai Havertz.
When they did win it in 2023, more European titles were expected to follow. Having won the treble, dominance seemed to lie in wait.
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Yet City continue to falter on the biggest stage of all.
Guardiola has had Kevin De Bruyne for many years, as well as classy assets such as Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Rodri and countless others.
But he has won the Champions League just once since his magical Barcelona side dominated Manchester United to secure glory in 2011, with his time at Bayern Munich ultimately underwhelming.
People will point to Sir Alex Ferguson and say that he only won two Champions Leagues at Manchester United. Certainly, that's a valid point.
Pep Guardiola will be hurt following Man CIty's Champions League exit to Real Madrid on Wednesday night
REUTERS
The difference is, however, that the Scot spent the first few years of his Old Trafford tenure rebuilding. Guardiola, on the other hand, walked into a team boasting some of the best players on the planet - and has continued to add to that squad too.
So is Guardiola a failure if he only wins the Champions League once at City? Perhaps. There can be no overlooking everything he's achieved but his team were meant to have more European crowns by now.
