From Alex Ferguson to Pep Guardiola: A coach's route to Premier League dominance

Manchester's football dominance has shifted from United to City, with Pep Guardiola's tactical brilliance eclipsing Sir Alex Ferguson's legacy. As City soared under Guardiola's leadership, United struggled post-Ferguson, highlighting the critical role of managers in shaping success.

In Short

• Manchester City's dominance eclipsed United's post-Ferguson struggles
• Pep Guardiola led City to tactical brilliance and consistent success
• Sir Alex Ferguson's departure marked United's decline in dominance

The Premier League has long been known for its action-packed and unpredictable nature, drawing football fans worldwide. Over the years, the league has seen numerous dominant sides, but few rivalries are as storied as that between Manchester's two footballing giants-United and City. What began as Manchester United's reign under Sir Alex Ferguson has slowly shifted to Pep Guardiola's era of dominance at Manchester City. From the once-iconic red to the now-indomitable blue, Manchester has seen a significant power shift.

Under Ferguson, Manchester United were the undisputed kings of English football, winning 13 Premier League titles between 1992 and 2013. His teams combined physicality with fast, attacking football, creating a formula that was hard to beat, even in Europe. However, since Ferguson's departure in 2013, United have struggled to recapture their former glory. Meanwhile, City have risen to power, winning their first Premier League title in 2012 and going on to claim eight more by 2024, including four consecutive titles, something no other team has accomplished in the league's history.

India Today recently had the opportunity to speak with former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips during City's Premier League trophy tour in New Delhi, India. Wright-Phillips reflected on the shift between the two Manchester clubs. He pointed out how Ferguson's influence over United's structure and discipline led to an era of sustained success and added that much of that magic left with him when he retired.

"I think now the Man United fans understand how much Sir Alex Ferguson was actually doing at that club. He wasn't just doing the team. It was almost like he was running the whole club. Like, I don't know whether that's true or false, but that's the way it looks. Since he stepped down, the club, in many ways, have gone down... I remember Jose Mourinho said a quote, I think when he once started at United and eventually won the Europa League, he said this the best job he's ever done in terms of making Man United achieve that, that was because of everything behind the scene. That's what's going on... And so far, he hasn't been wrong, As things stand, United has, in many ways, they've got a lot sort out," Wright-Phillips said.

How Alex Ferguson left with the best of United

Ferguson's arrival from Aberdeen in 1986 marked the start of Manchester United's ascent. While the legendary manager had access to the famous "Class of '92," featuring David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes, along with big signings like Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, it was Ferguson's ability to extract the best from his squad that set him apart. He molded individual stars into a cohesive unit, always putting the club's collective success above individual fame.

In stark contrast, post-Ferguson United has seen heavy investment in big names like Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, Raphael Varane, and even a more mature Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet, despite the massive outlay, results have rarely followed, with most stars failing to deliver consistently and leaving with little impact.

City's perfect mix of money and magic under Guardiola

In contrast, Manchester City under Guardiola has been the epitome of tactical brilliance combined with calculated spending. While City have not shied away from splashing the cash, Guardiola's signings-like Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland-have thrived under his tactical genius. Unlike United's scattergun approach to signings, Guardiola has built a team that fits his vision of beautiful, technically proficient football," Wroght-Phillips added.

"I just think we're lucky to witness a man like him doing what he's done, not just to the Premier League, to the football world. Down to grassroots and even women's football. Everywhere, everybody tries to play in a simple way under Pep. Now people don't just do that because it looks nice. They're doing it because it's clearly working, and also the way he does it.,"

"The system, the way he plays, the risk is high, but if you teach the players well how to do it, as well as what they already know, and you beat that press, the rewards are great. City made what I think this year at the Premier League, they're the first in every category, in terms of chances created, goals scored, passes into the box. That is because of the way they play, not because they just got fantastic players," Wroght-Phillips added.

Having secured six Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League, and numerous domestic trophies, Guardiola's tenure at City has not only solidified their place atop English football but also redefined how the game is played in England.

As City continue their dominant start to the 2024-25 season, United are still grappling with inconsistency, highlighting that a manager's influence on a team's fortunes extends far beyond the pitch.