Pep v Sir Alex: Sheringham Weighs In On The Greatest Manager Debate

Pep Guardiola v Sir Alex Ferguson: who is the greatest manager of all time?

It’s a debate that rages on, especially since Guardiola led Man City to the treble in 2022/23 and added another Premier League title to his resume in 2023/24.

Sheringham also spoke to us about what could be Guardiola’s next managerial move, his assessment of Man United’s big recent signings, who would win in game between City and United’s treble-winning sides plus more.

Pep Guardiola or Sir Alex Ferguson?

We should stop comparing Pep Guardiola to Sir Alex Ferguson because they are managing in different eras, you can only beat what is in front of you.

Guardiola is obviously the man at the moment and Sir Alex was the man of his era, we will just never know who is the best.

Guardiola Departing City Would Be ‘Fantastic’ News For Rivals

It would be fantastic news for his rivals, but he is fantastic for the Premier League.

I think the way he wants his team to play, what he demands of his players of his team, not just individually but as a team, he makes players better.

I think it's fair to say the Premier League would be a worse place without someone like Pep Guardiola as a figurehead of the league, without a doubt.

FA Would Be Foolish Not To Pursue Guardiola

I think Pep is a fantastic manager and he would be perfect for whoever wants him when he does decide to leave Manchester City.

If the England job became available, then I think if he gave an inclination that he would take the job - the FA should sign him up, they would be stupid not to.

Rasmus Hojlund Has Done ‘Okay’ So Far Since Joining Man United

First and foremost, the signing of Rasmus Hojlund comes from United’s failure to not compete for the players at the very top level last summer, like Harry Kane.

Years ago under Sir Alex, the club would’ve been in the hunt for Harry Kane and other players at the very top level who perform week in and week out.

They didn't do that and they bought a second best in Hojlund. I think he has done okay, he works hard and has to feed off scraps.

Overall I think he has done okay and United should be thankful that he works so hard and you can’t forget that he is still young and learning his way.

Should Manchester United Stick by Andre Onana?

I still don’t see Andre Onana being as good as David de Gea. But he does seem to have confidence about him which is very important.

You could see against Manchester City how he was rolling and passing out the ball, but overall he has had some dodgy moments throughout the season. But I think he is worth sticking with at the moment.

Man United A Long Way Off Challenging For Premier League

When you analyse the situation, they've just won the FA Cup and you know that Erik ten Hag has been boisterous about that, but at the end of the day, they are way off the top of the Premier League in terms of performances and consistency. They're way off it.

They've got to get back to producing their best moments week in and week out, that is what playing for Manchester United is all about not having a cup run and coming good here and there.

They need to be challenging in the Champions League and for the Premier League title, but they are a long way off that.

Man United Treble Team v Man City Treble Team

The two Trebles are of course in different eras, but when you watch some of the football that we played, it was unbelievable.

Some of the training sessions we had when it was eight v eight on a Thursday or a Friday, some of the football that was being played, it was like, My God, that was unbelievable.

You just thought that there's no way we would lose on Saturdays to any team in the Premier League. It was dreamy football.

It was a different type of football then too, you had to put your challenges in. You had to fight for what you had. Now it's a little bit different because the game is not played like that.

Yes, you still have to be mentally tough and there's the odd challenge that goes in but nothing really that you'd have to worry about.

So the game's changed and it's moved on, it's played differently now. But they are still, top players playing at the top of their game and City deserve every accolade they get.

If we played against each other, I would back the team that I was playing in. I think they were phenomenal at their time, but Man City are phenomenal as well.

Anthony Martial’s Time At Man United

I think with Anthony Martial, I think there's been optimism and disappointment, optimism again and finally disappointment. I don't think that's any surprise that he's leaving the club this year.

I don't know what's been going on in his body and whether he has struggled with injuries or. But I think the fact that at least two different managers have given him new contracts shows that there was so much optimism over his ability.

But he hasn’t fulfilled that promise and I think this time it was inevitable that he wasn’t going to get a new contract.

Without a doubt his time at the club has been underwhelming, that’s how I would describe his Manchester United career.

There was a lot of optimism but it fell flat most of the time, it isn't good enough when you're playing for Manchester United.

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