Mikel Arteta has hailed Pep Guardiola as “the best coach in the history of football,” describing his former mentor’s impact on the Premier League as “remarkable” and “unique.” Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after a decade in charge, a spell that brought 20 major trophies, with Enzo Maresca now beginning a new era at the club.
Maresca will face Arteta in his first competitive match as City manager when the two sides meet in Sunday’s Community Shield in Cardiff. Arteta spent four years working alongside Guardiola on the City coaching staff before taking charge at Arsenal in 2019, and admitted he could not do his former colleague’s achievements justice.
“I’m probably going to fall short in the way I can praise what he’s done,” Arteta said. “First of all for the Premier League, for the country, the way he has opened a different way of understanding the game, and I think he has escalated the Premier League to a different level.”
He pointed to the daily standards Guardiola set as the most striking part of working under him. “He has brought standards to something that we haven’t witnessed before,” Arteta said. “I was very lucky to be part of it for four years and to understand and witness how it’s done daily. It’s remarkable, it’s unique.”
Arteta pays glowing tribute to Guardiola ahead of Community Shield
Guardiola’s ability to sustain that level across different countries and leagues, Arteta added, is what sets him apart. “He’s done it in many different countries and leagues, but in a really consistent and sustainable way, which is the hardest thing to do,” he said. “I’ve always said before that I think he’s the best coach in the history of football for many reasons.”
Arteta suggested rival coaches may not mourn Guardiola’s exit quite as much as the league itself will. “I think he’s going to be missed in the Premier League โ I don’t know if as coaches we’ll miss him so much,” he said. “It’s so difficult to play against him and to compete in the manner that he does with his teams.”
He closed with gratitude for his time on Guardiola’s staff and optimism for City under Maresca. “I have gratitude for the time I have had with him, which was incredible,” Arteta said. “He’s elevated all the coaches and teams to work in different ways, and he’s been a pleasure. Now it’s Enzo, who is as good as him because I know him well. He’ll provide something different to the club, and I wish him the best.”
Guardiola’s departure ended a trophy-laden era in which City finished as Premier League runners-up behind Arsenal last season, having also won the FA Cup and League Cup. Arsenal arrive in Cardiff as champions after ending a 22-year wait for the title.
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