Pep Guardiola's Greatest XI of all time

Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the most successful managers the game has ever seen. He made his name with Barcelona as a player before taking over as a manager in 2008.

From 2008-2012, he built a team that is considered to be one of the greatest club sides the world has ever seen. That Barcelona side combined supreme quality with a rich pool of homegrown talent and endorsed the tiki-taka style of football like no other.

Pep won 14 trophies in that period before calling it quits. Among these 14 trophies were two Champions League titles. The Spaniard took over a treble-winning Bayern Munich in 2013 from Jupp Heynckes. In Germany, Pep won seven trophies in three years including a hat-trick of Bundesliga titles. However, the Champions League eluded him at the Bavarian club.

Guardiola is one of the most successful managers in football

Guardiola then took over the reins at a resurgent Manchester City in 2016 and is currently managing the English club. The illustrious manager had the first-ever trophyless season of his career, at City, and is now in the process of rebuilding the side for next season.

As he completes a decade of management, let's find out his greatest XI of all time. While the tactical genius has implemented many a formation during his career, we choose the trusted 4-2-3-1 to fit in the best players.

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Goalkeeper - Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time

The quality of players Guardiola has managed is top-class. As a result, there is competition for almost every spot in his greatest XI. However, there are a couple of names who are sure-shot selections in the XI. One of them is goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who is arguably one of the greatest keepers of all time.

While Victor Valdes has definitely won more titles, Neuer is the better goalkeeper. Such have been his contributions that the Bayern Munich shot-stopper has redefined and popularized the sweeper-keeper role single-handedly.

Nowadays, every top team wants their goalkeeper to be good with the ball at their feet. A part of the credit goes to Pep for bringing this aspect to the game and to Neuer for showing how it is done.

Further, the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner with Germany is no slouch with the gloves either. His reflexes are right there amongst the best, and he is arguably the most complete goalkeeper of this generation.

Thus, it is a no-brainer for Neuer to take the goalkeeping slot on this XI.

Right-back - Dani Alves

Dani Alves is a role model for attacking full-backs

The right-back slot has two worthy contenders in Dani Alves and Philipp Lahm. While Alves is one of the greatest full-backs the world has ever seen, Lahm is one of the most intelligent players ever. However, Alves' style of play suits Guardiola's system better. Hence the Brazilian gets the nod.

The high-flying Alves was signed from Sevilla in 2008 and the Brazilian soon became an inspiration for other full-backs around the world.

Alves possessed pace, an engine to run up and down the pitch, great technique and a world-class delivery to go along with his good defensive capabilities. He became a vital attacking component of Pep's Barcelona and developed a great understanding with Lionel Messi.

He completed a successful 8-year spell at Barcelona before joining Juventus last season. This summer, he has moved to Paris Saint-Germain. The 34-year-old has nine European medals, only one fewer than Paolo Maldini, who has 10.

Alves became one of the world's best in his position under Pep and rightfully makes the list.

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Centre-back - Carles Puyol (C)

Carles Puyol is the natural choice to be the captain of this XI

A majority of players in Guardiola's greatest XI are the best of their generation. It is no different with Carles Puyol, the first centre-back on the list.

The Spaniard was one of the rare one-club men in recent times. Despite not being the tallest, Puyol was strong in the air, had great positional sense and was a born leader.

Puyol won three Champions League titles with Barcelona aside from the Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup 2010 with Spain.

The now-retired centre-back played 593 official matches for the Catalan club and captains Guardiola's greatest XI.

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Centre-back - Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique has won four Champions League titles so far

Now, there is a clash between Gerard Pique and Jerome Boateng for the second centre-back slot. However, the Spaniard just about edges the German based on the success he has achieved and the quality he possesses.

Pique is a Barcelona youth product who moved to Manchester United in 2004. He returned to Spain in 2008 after winning the Champions League with Manchester United in the same year.

Pique rose to become one of the world's best under Pep and his ability with the ball made him one of the best ball-playing defenders of all time. His technique allows him to play up front whenever Barcelona are chasing games, which is a rarity even among top centre-backs.

The 4-time Champions League winner completes a Barcelona rout in the heart of the defence.

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Left-back - David Alaba

David Alaba is one of the most versatile and intelligent footballers to have played under Pep

David Alaba is one of the most gifted players to emerge from Austria. Although Jordi Alba, Eric Abidal and even Lahm make their case for the left back slot, no one comes close to Alaba.

The Austrian joined Bayern in 2008 and it did not take him long to become a permanent fixture in the first team.

Alaba can play in central midfield as well as on the wings but left-back is his preferred role. He is a key player for Austria and was their youngest ever debutant.

He has already won everything at the club level with Bayern and at 25 years of age, is going to accomplish much more.

Thus, Alaba is a natural choice for the left-back role in Pep's greatest XI.

Central midfield - Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets is one of the most underrated footballers

Sergio Busquets' association with Pep Guardiola began when the latter was managing Barcelona B in 2007-08. On Guardiola getting promoted as the first-team manager, Busquets was promoted as well and the 28-year-old is now one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.

Unlike most defensive midfielders, Busquets is not physically strong or a great tackler. Instead, it is a brilliant combination of awareness, reading of the game and tactical intelligence that makes him one of the best at his role.

His 189 cm frame allows him to play as a makeshift centre-back when needed and he has already won 23 club honours. Further, he was a crucial part of Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2012 victories.

While the likes of Xabi Alonso and Javi Martinez are definitely top players, Busquets is the perfect player to break down attacks and act as a third defender when the team's full-backs burst forward.

Thus, he picks up one of the two central midfield slots in Pep's greatest XI.

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Central Midfield - Xavi

Xavi is one of the greatest central midfielders of all time

The Barcelona domination in the XI continues as Xavi takes the second midfield spot. While Thiago is a worthy contender, Xavi is legendary in the controller role.

A product of the La Masia academy, Xavi personified the tiki-taka style of football better than anyone else. He controlled games for Pep through his impeccable passing ability and range.

Xavi played the offensive base for his team as they went on to become one of the best sides ever. He won 30 trophies during his time with Barcelona and played a major role for his country as well.

The Spaniard was named as the Player of the Tournament in Euro 2008 and played a key role in Spain's subsequent World Cup triumph and 2nd Euro win. He further holds the record for assisting a goal in two separate Euro finals.

Thus, it is natural for Xavi to form the second-half of the pivot in this XI.

Right attacking midfield - Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben is one of the greatest wingers of his generation

Many would have thought that a player like Arjen Robben would struggle under Guardiola given the multi-functional players the latter normally likes. However, the Dutchman became an integral part of Pep's Bayern Munich.

Despite being labeled as a player whose single trick is to cut in and shoot, Robben has managed to carve his name into the record books. His efficiency in scoring in spite of teams knowing how to defend against him shows the perfection he has achieved.

Robben's pace is legendary, something Spain found out in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and he saves his best for the big occasions, as evidenced by the winner he scored against Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League final.

He had the best domestic year of his Bayern career under Pep in the 2014/15 season. Robben was involved in 24 goals, scoring 17 and assisting 7, which was a personal high. He came close to winning the World Cup with the Netherlands in 2010 only to fall to Spain.

Robben's pace, goal threat and remarkable consistency make him the right winger in Pep's greatest XI.

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Central attacking midfield - Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is a surprising but worthy choice for Pep' greatest XI

While the achievements of Kevin De Bruyne are not at the same level as the other players on this list, he definitely has the quality to make this side. Further, in the chosen formation and considering his potential, De Bruyne is the best fit.

Firstly, talent-wise De Bruyne is one of the most gifted players of his generation. In fact, his gaffer said last September, "When we talk about Messi, maybe he can sit alone in the table, with no-one else allowed. But in the table beside, Kevin can sit there."

Secondly, he is a consistent performer and has the ability to dictate games. The Belgian constantly presses without the ball and can split open defences, put in crosses or score depending on the situation. This vision, control and excellent decision-making skills make him the most valuable player Pep has at Manchester City.

Finally, De Bruyne's ability in dead-ball situations is as good as any, making him the complete No. 10.

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Left attacking midfield - Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta always makes a difference in big games

Andres Iniesta is one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen. The down-to-earth midfielder immortalised himself for his club with the late winner against Chelsea in 2009 and for his country Spain when he scored the winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.

While midfielders are valued these days on the goals they score or assists they make, Iniesta is a player for whom statistics do not paint a true picture. His strengths lie in controlling matches and stepping up when the team needs him the most.

His ball control, agility, passing and vision are among the best in the world and if Barcelona do well in crunch games, Iniesta is almost always the Man of the Match. It is no wonder then that he managed to break the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly on the Ballon d'Or trophy in 2010 where he finished second.

At 33 years of age, Iniesta is coming to the end of his playing days but his wonderful technique never deserts him. Thus, the greatest Spanish footballer of all time makes Pep Guardiola's greatest XI as well.

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Striker - Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola credit each other for the success they achieved

Was there ever any doubt? Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the greatest player to have played under Guardiola. Both manager and player hold each other in high regard for the success they achieved together and later as well.

Now, Messi could easily have been placed in his usual right-wing role. However, one of the biggest reasons for Messi's incredible goalscoring record was the switch to the false 9 position and this happened under Guardiola.

Messi dazzled further the world and constantly scored 30+ goals in the league while popularising the false 9 role. Widely regarded as the greatest player of his generation, his acceleration, close control, dribbling ability and devastating end-product saw him win four Ballon d'Or trophies between 2009-2012.

The diminutive Argentine holds innumerable records and has won 30 trophies so far with Barcelona. He reached two Copa America finals and a World Cup final with Argentina as well but is yet to win an international tournament.

Nevertheless, his club records are the stuff of legends. Thus, Lionel Messi rounds off Pep's greatest XI by leading the line.