In a spectacular turn of events, Pep Guardiola has been hailed as the preeminent manager of 2023, basking in the glory of Manchester City’s triumphant sweep of ‘The Best’ awards. The undeniable catalyst behind the historic treble secured by Manchester City in the 2022/23 season—comprising the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup—Guardiola, often referred to as the “architect” of the “citizens,” emerged as the indisputable winner in the FIFA The Best awards.
The accolade, bestowed upon Guardiola, serves as a testament to his exceptional managerial prowess and strategic acumen. The Catalan coach emerged victorious in a tight race, surpassing the likes of Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti in the global football confederation’s vote. Guardiola, in his characteristic humility, attributed this prestigious individual recognition to the collective efforts of his team and the unwavering support of key figures at Manchester City.
“I want to share this award with the owners of Manchester City, with Ferran Soriano and with Chikki Begiristain, who believed in me from the beginning,” Guardiola expressed, underscoring the collaborative nature of his success. “On behalf of my coaching staff and myself, I would like to thank my players. It has been a pleasure to live with them in recent years,” he added, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the players in the team’s triumphs.
The domination of Manchester City did not stop at Guardiola’s individual accolade. The FIFA The Best awards for 2023 witnessed an unprecedented inclusion of six City players in the prestigious starting lineup—a testament to the absolute dominance of the club in the footballing landscape. Alongside Guardiola’s stellar sextet, which included Stones, Walker, Diaz, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, and Haaland, other football luminaries such as Courtois, Bellingham, Bape, Messi, and Vinicius also earned their well-deserved spots.
The meticulous selection process by FIFA resulted in an elite ensemble for the top eleven of 2023:
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias
- Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne
- Forwards: Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Vinicius
This star-studded lineup not only pays tribute to the exceptional talent and contributions of these players but also underscores the remarkable collective achievements of Manchester City throughout the 2022/23 season. The footballing world now stands in awe of the unprecedented success and dominance exhibited by Pep Guardiola and his formidable team.
