Pep Guardiola receives honorary degree from the University of Manchester | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Manchester, recognising his extraordinary contribution to the city over nine years on and off the pitch.

At a ceremony in the historic Whitworth Hall, he was presented with an honorary doctorate by the University’s Chancellor, Nazir Afzal.

The award is in honour not only of his sporting success but for his inspirational work away from football, including through his family foundation, the Guardiola Sala Foundation

Pep 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 here in 2016, I did not know how long I would spend here. The way this city embraced me made everything easy. My time here 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 it 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, said: “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.”

Honorary degrees are the highest awards the University can offer.

The University recognises remarkable individuals that have made outstanding contributions to society that embody its values, improve the lives of people in local communities or have created significant impact in their field of work and often far beyond.

Widely regarded as one of the successful and innovative managers in the history of the game, Pep followed a trophy laden playing career by being appointed as manager of the Barcelona first team in 2008.

He won the La Liga title in three of his four seasons at the Camp Nou and lifted the UEFA Champions League twice.

After Barcelona, he joined Bayern Munich whom he led to the last four of the UEFA Champions League in each of his three seasons, landing the Bundesliga three times and winning the league and cup double twice.

Guardiola joined City in 2016. In his second season he guided the Blues to the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup. He picked up four successive Manager of the Month awards and was voted the Premier League Manager of the Season and the LMA Manager of the Year.

He was again voted Premier League manager of the year after guiding City to four more trophies in 2018/19 to become the Club’s most successful boss ever with six trophies in three seasons.

City added the Carabao Cup and Community Shield to Pep’s list in 2019/20, and the Catalan helped the Club win yet more silverware in 2020/21, with another Premier League title and Carabao Cup success. He also became the first City boss to take his side to a Champions League final in May 2021.

Guardiola’s incredible spell at the Etihad then saw him lead City to a fourth Premier League title in five years in 2021/22 and a fifth in 2022/23.

And to top off another history-defining season under Pep’s tenure, a fifth league win and City’s FA Cup final win was followed by victory in the Champions League final which saw the Club claim an historic 2023 Treble.

On the final day of the 2023/24 season, City made yet more history by becoming the first club to win the Premier League in four successive seasons, confirming the title on the final day.

Pep’s leadership has not only elevated City's success but is a model for performance excellence and continuous improvement that has inspired leaders outside of football.

Alongside this, the University wanted to recognise his contributions to Manchester’s cultural and community life, and unwavering commitment to social responsibility and justice, through his family foundation - the Guardiola Sala Foundation.