Pep Guardiola awarded honorary degree by University of Manchester | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Manchester in recognition of his contributions to the city over the last nine years.

Honorary degrees are known to be the highest awards offered, and the institution recognises individuals that have made outstanding contributions to society that embody its values, improve the lives of local people or have created significant impact in their field and beyond.

For the University of Manchester, they have also wanted to recognise Guardiola’s contributions to Manchester’s cultural and community life, and commitment to social responsibility and justice, through his family foundation – the Guardiola Sala Foundation.

Pep Guardiola was presented with the honorary doctorate by the University’s Chancellor, Nazir Afzal at a ceremony in Whitworth Hall – an award in honour of both sporting success and work away from football.

Issuing a reaction to the honorary degree, Guardiola said, “Manchester means so much to me. I have spent nine years here and it has become home. The people, the culture, my incredible football club, my colleagues… it is all so special to me and my family.

“When I arrived in 2016, I did not know how long I would spend here. The way this city embraced me made everything easy. My time has been beautiful. I know how important the University of Manchester is to our city. It’s the home to a lot of research and has a history of discovery.

“So, honestly, to be honoured in this way by such an esteemed institution is an amazing feeling. I want to thank everyone at the University of Manchester for this moment – and I want to thank everyone at Manchester City for their constant support.”

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, added, “Pep wasn’t born in Manchester, but like me and so many others, the city has welcomed him and made it feel like home.

“That welcome and the way Manchester gets under your skin is why so many people feel a deep, lifelong connection with the city. Pep is an innovator and a winner who has inspired millions of people through his success as a manager.

“He has played a huge role in making Manchester a global success story and we are honoured that he has chosen to accept this degree. I hope that this forges another important connection between him, the University of Manchester, and the city.”

Alongside Pep Guardiola’s remarkable work off the field, his achievements as Manchester City manager are widely regarded as being some of the very best work accomplished by any figure within the sport.

Claiming a staggering four Premier League titles in a row for the first time in the competition’s history, adding to his previous two triumphs in the competition, Guardiola has also won a continental Treble with a maiden UEFA Champions League honour for the club.

Those silverware accomplishments are a direct bi-product of the remarkable style of football adopted and implemented by Pep Guardiola over the last nine years, largely inspiring many within the game to follow his trend and aim to replicate his dominance in the game.