'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Pep Guardiola is a tactical genius and one of the finest managers in the Premier League right now. The Spaniard may have spent big on transfers but success is almost guaranteed with him at the helm.
The former Barcelona manager has achieved a lot in his managerial career and is currently going strong at Manchester City. His strategic approach to the game has done wonders for the clubs he has managed.
Pep Guardiola likes his goalkeepers to be quality passers
Guardiola is often considered one of the greatest managers of all time. He has won the most consecutive league games in the Premier League (18), the Bundesliga (19) and La Liga (16).
One of the key elements of his game style is playing from the back. This is why he prefers his goalkeepers to be good at passing the ball. In his successful career, the Spanish manager has had some fine goalkeepers play for him. Here, we take a look at the best of them.
#5 Jose Manuel Pinto (Barcelona)
Jose Manuel Pinto makes it onto this list as funnily as he made it to Barcelona in a similar fashion. The Spaniard was signed by the Catalan club in 2008 from Celta Vigo when he was 33-year-old, to be the backup to Victor Valdes.
In Guardiola's four seasons with Barcelona, Pinto was not that frequently used unless and until Valdes was unavailable. Luckily for the Spaniard, he won a good amount of trophies sitting on the bench.
He won the La Liga thrice, Copa del Rey twice, UEFA Champions League twice, UEFA Super Cup twice and the FIFA Club World Cup once. Pinto made 44 appearances during Guardiola's time as Barcelona manager.
#4 Claudio Bravo (Manchester City)
Claudio Bravo was doing decently well at Barcelona before he decided to join Manchester City in 2016. Guardiola had a lot of faith in the Chilean goalkeeper to make the difference between the sticks.
Unfortunately, Bravo did not take up his chances well and was guilty of making silly mistakes more often than not. Although Guardiola religiously supported him, the Chilean just couldn't regain his form with the Citizens. He played 61 matches under the Spanish manager.
He won the Premier League once and the FA Community Shield twice with Manchester City before leaving for Real Betis in 2020. Despite his poor form in England under Guardiola, Bravo makes it to the list for his talent and abilities overall as a player.
#3 Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
Pep Guardiola had a memorable time as Barcelona's manager, having won plenty with them. During that time, he entrusted Victor Valdes to help them between the sticks.
The Spanish goalkeeper played for 12 seasons at the Catalan club and was quite a regular player with them. Under Guardiola, Valdes performed immensely well. Although he was habitual of making some mistakes, he served the purpose well.
He played 200 matches under the Spanish manager and won three La Liga titles with him. Valdes' contribution in winning the UEFA Champions League twice was important for Barcelona.
#2 Ederson (Manchester City)
One of the main reasons why Ederson is deeply adored by Guardiola is his amazing passing abilities. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been wonderful for Manchester City ever since he joined them in 2017 from Benfica.
With his sharp reflexes, fine shot-stopping abilities and brilliant instincts, Ederson is a massive asset for Guardiola. He has already won the Premier League thrice, out of which he won the Golden Glove in two of them. He kept 19 clean sheets last season with Manchester City.
Guardiola relies heavily on Ederson to play from the back and to even continue the tempo of the team going with his wide range of passing. The Brazilian has made 219 appearances so far under the Spaniard and is destined to achieve more with his guidance.
#1 Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer may not have played as many matches as some of the other goalkeepers on this list under Guardiola. But the quality and consistency he has shown remains unmatchable.
Guardiola was blessed to have a goalkeeper like Neuer at his disposal when he managed Bayern Munich. With his sweeper-keeper role, the German goalkeeper was the perfect man between the sticks for the Spaniard then.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper made 152 appearances under the Spanish manager, making some stunning saves in the process. Manuel Neuer won the Bundesliga thrice under Guardiola and also claimed the Best European Goalkeeper award thrice.
