Former Manchester City forward Paul Dickov has publicly declared that Pep Guardiola remains the Premier League’s top tactician, insisting his former boss still outshines Mikel Arteta in managerial prowess. Dickov’s comments come amid simmering debate over who leads the current era of English football bosses.
Speaking to Football365, Dickov praised Guardiola’s tactical masterclass in City’s recent match against Liverpool, saying the Spaniard “still got it,” and detailing how his strategic tweaks at midfield left Liverpool specialists unable to adapt.
He singled out a particular formation shift involving Rayan Cherki, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, and Jérémy Doku, which he described as “top, top class.”
Despite circulating reports suggesting Guardiola might soon depart City, Dickov expressed confidence in his continued commitment to the club. He noted the Spaniard’s evident enthusiasm for working with City’s younger stars, and said that Guardiola “looks as fresh and as driven as he was from the first day” at the Etihad.
The endorsement from Dickov carries extra weight given his long association with Manchester City during his playing career. His comments underline the prevailing view among some former insiders that, while Arteta has made important strides at Arsenal, Guardiola’s managerial mastery remains unmatched.
