Pep Guardiola has pointed to a remarkable run of consistency that, in his view, sets Manchester City apart from every other English club in recent Champions League history.
The City manager, speaking ahead of his side’s European clash with Bayer Leverkusen, underlined what he considers one of the defining achievements of his tenure: a decade-long presence in Europe’s elite competition that no other team in the Premier League can match.
Since Guardiola’s arrival in 2016, City have become a near-permanent fixture in the Champions League, qualifying for the tournament every season without fail.
The Catalan’s time at the Etihad has coincided with a period of sustained domestic dominance and continental ambition, turning the club into one of the toughest and most consistent sides in Europe.
Yet, as Guardiola stressed, the accomplishment of reaching the competition year after year—often taken for granted—remains one of the clearest illustrations of how far the club has come.
Man City’s Champions League qualification streak began before his appointment, but the manager insists that maintaining that rhythm for “the last nine, 10 years” represents a level of performance unmatched elsewhere in England.
Even last season, when injuries, fatigue and patchy form threatened to derail their campaign, Guardiola’s side found a way through, securing the points they needed to keep their European journey alive.
It is that relentless will to reach the highest level, season after season, that Guardiola believes truly defines the modern Manchester City.
The manager’s reflections came on the eve of a personal milestone. When City face Bayer Leverkusen, Guardiola will take charge of his 100th Champions League game as Manchester City manager—a number that places him among the most experienced coaches in the competition’s history.
But instead of dwelling on his longevity, he used the occasion to highlight the collective effort that has kept City among Europe’s elite.
“I realise I’m getting old. Every weekend is a milestone and milestone, it’s quite good. It means every season we’ve been there.
“The only team in England from the last nine, 10 years every season we’ve been there. Hopefully next season we will be there too,” he said, reflecting on both his personal milestone and the club’s record.
For Guardiola, the Champions League is far more than just another tournament. Even after winning it with City in 2023 and with Barcelona earlier in his career, the Catalan continues to speak with a sense of awe about its magnitude and attraction.
This latest appearance, he suggested, is not simply about chasing silverware but about maintaining the standards that ensure Manchester City remain relevant on the biggest stage.
“It’s a huge competition, so nice, special for players, they love it, managers, everyone,” he continued.
“To challenge yourself against the best teams in Europe is an incredibly huge experience. For the club, in terms of reputation, prestige, financially, it’s massively important.”
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Maintaining such consistency in the Premier League—the most competitive domestic league in world football—remains a formidable challenge.
Every season, the fight for the top four involves a rotating cast of elite sides, each capable of extraordinary runs and costly collapses.
Yet, year after year, Man City’s Champions League qualification is almost certain. They have remained within that elite bracket, weathering managerial changes, squad evolutions and tactical shifts across the league.
Guardiola’s emphasis on longevity also underscores something he has repeatedly referenced during his time in Manchester: the difficulty of sustaining motivation and performance across multiple seasons.
Winning trophies, he often argues, requires more than talent or resources—it demands a culture capable of resetting itself every year, resisting complacency and adapting to new challenges.
