The managerial rivalry between Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho is one of the most captivating storylines in modern football. Spanning across leagues and countries, this battle between two of the game’s brightest minds has produced legendary matches, tactical innovations, and unforgettable moments. Their contrasting philosophies—Guardiola’s possession-based game versus Mourinho’s pragmatism—add fuel to their intense rivalry.
Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Record
From El Clasico showdowns in Spain to heated Manchester derbies in the Premier League, the Pep vs Jose saga has redefined modern football tactics. Let’s dive into every match they’ve contested and relive some of the greatest moments in their storied rivalry.
Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho rivalry
1. Inter 0-0 Barcelona (16/09/09) – The Tactical Stalemate
This encounter in the Champions League group stage was the first time the two managers met. Both teams failed to find the back of the net, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning to his former stomping ground at the San Siro. It was a chess match that previewed the tactical battles that would come later, but neither side could break through in what was a relatively tame opener to their rivalry.
2. Barcelona 2-0 Inter (24/11/09) – Barcelona’s Control
The return fixture at the Camp Nou saw Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona dominate the game, with Xavi pulling the strings in midfield. Goals from Gerard Pique and Pedro handed Barcelona a 2-0 victory and top spot in the group. However, this match was only a preview of the drama that would unfold in the Champions League semi-finals later that season.
3. Inter 3-1 Barcelona (20/04/10) – Mourinho’s Counter-Attacking Masterclass
In one of the most famous Champions League clashes in history, Mourinho’s Inter stunned Barcelona in the semi-final first leg at the San Siro. Despite Pedro’s early opener for the Catalans, Inter roared back with goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon, and Diego Milito. This counter-attacking display was one of the finest tactical performances of Mourinho’s career, showcasing his pragmatic genius.
4. Barcelona 1-0 Inter (28/04/10) – The Greatest Bus Parking Ever
The second leg of the semi-final is remembered for Mourinho’s ultimate display of defensive resilience. With Thiago Motta sent off early in the game, Inter defended heroically with ten men, despite a late goal from Gerard Pique. Mourinho’s “park the bus” strategy led Inter to the final, and he famously celebrated on the Camp Nou pitch after eliminating Pep’s Barcelona, setting the stage for a lasting rivalry.
5. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid (29/11/10) – Guardiola’s Ultimate Triumph
In Mourinho’s first El Clasico as Real Madrid manager, Guardiola’s Barcelona handed him the worst defeat of his career—a stunning 5-0 demolition at the Camp Nou. Xavi and Andres Iniesta dominated the midfield, and Lionel Messi wreaked havoc from his false nine position. The game was a masterclass in Guardiola’s possession-based football, and it marked the low point of Mourinho’s early days at Madrid.
6. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona (16/04/11) – The Start of an 18-Day Marathon
The first of four El Clasico meetings in an 18-day span, this La Liga clash saw penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi cancel each other out. This match set the stage for the heated Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-final battles to come.
7. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid (20/04/11) – Ronaldo’s Copa del Rey Glory
Mourinho’s Real Madrid finally got the better of Pep’s Barcelona in the 2011 Copa del Rey final. Ronaldo, deployed as a central striker, scored a stunning extra-time header to hand Madrid the trophy. It was a signature Mourinho win, marked by solid defensive organization and clinical counter-attacks.
8. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona (27/04/11) – Champions League Fireworks
Heading into the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, tensions between the two managers reached an all-time high. Guardiola’s pre-match outburst, calling Mourinho the “f***ing chief of the press room,” set the tone for a fiery encounter. Despite the heated atmosphere, Lionel Messi took center stage, scoring twice after Pepe’s controversial red card to give Barcelona a commanding 2-0 lead.
9. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (03/05/11) – Barcelona Advance
The second leg of the Champions League semi-final lacked the drama of the first, with Marcelo equalizing after Pedro’s opener. Despite Mourinho’s protests over refereeing decisions, Barcelona advanced to the final and ultimately won the Champions League. It was another victory for Guardiola over his bitter rival.
10. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona (14/08/11) – Super Cup Magic
The first leg of the Spanish Super Cup kicked off the 2011/12 campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw. Real Madrid dominated early, but moments of magic from Messi and David Villa salvaged a draw for Barcelona.
11. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (17/08/11) – Messi Masterclass and Mourinho’s Eye Gouge
The second leg of the Super Cup was all about Messi, who scored twice and assisted once in a 3-2 win (5-4 on aggregate) for Barcelona. However, the match is also infamous for Mourinho’s eye gouge on Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova, further escalating the tension between the two clubs.
12. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona (10/12/11) – Tactical Mastery by Pep
In this La Liga clash, Guardiola’s tactical adjustments turned the game around after Karim Benzema scored within 30 seconds. Barcelona responded with a clinical performance, winning 3-1 after switching formations and taking control of the match.
13. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona (18/01/12) – The Abidal Surprise
In the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final, Eric Abidal surprised everyone by scoring the winning goal after Carles Puyol had equalized. Mourinho’s defensive tactics couldn’t keep Barcelona at bay, giving Guardiola another edge over his rival.
14. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (25/01/12) – Messi Magic Again
In the second leg, Messi’s dazzling run set up Pedro for the opener, and Dani Alves’ rocket made it 2-0. Although Real Madrid mounted a comeback with goals from Ronaldo and Benzema, Barcelona advanced to the semi-finals on aggregate, once again asserting Guardiola’s dominance.
15. El Clasico Pep vs Jose : Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (21/04/12) – Mourinho’s Title Clincher
In the 2011/12 La Liga season, Real Madrid headed to the Camp Nou with a four-point lead. Sami Khedira opened the scoring before Ronaldo sealed the win in typical counter-attacking fashion. This victory essentially secured the La Liga title for Real Madrid, marking one of Mourinho’s most significant victories over Guardiola.
16. Bayern Munich 2-2 Chelsea (30/08/13) – New Beginnings
After taking a sabbatical from football, Guardiola took charge of Bayern Munich, while Mourinho returned to Chelsea. The two met early in their new roles in the 2013 European Super Cup, which ended 2-2. Javi Martinez’s last-minute equalizer forced penalties, and Bayern won the shootout after a Romelu Lukaku miss, handing Guardiola his first trophy in Germany.
17. Manchester derby Pep vs Jose : Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City (10/09/16) – Pep’s Manchester Dominance
In their first Manchester derby, Guardiola’s City dominated Mourinho’s United, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho sealing a 2-1 victory. Claudio Bravo’s error gave United a lifeline, but City’s control of the game was undeniable.
18. Manchester derby Pep vs Jose : Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United (11/11/18) – Mourinho’s Final Stand
This Premier League clash saw Guardiola’s City dominate United, securing a 3-1 victory. Ilkay Gundogan’s late goal sealed the win, and the defeat put Mourinho under immense pressure. He was sacked less than a month later, ending his rivalry with Guardiola in the Premier League.
Pep vs Jose head-to-head record
| Match | Date | Competition | Result | Pep’s Team | Jose’s Team | Goals (Pep) | Goals (Jose) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Milan vs Barcelona | 16/09/2009 | UEFA Champions League | 0-0 | Barcelona | Inter Milan | 0 | 0 |
| Barcelona vs Inter Milan | 24/11/2009 | UEFA Champions League | 2-0 | Barcelona | Inter Milan | 2 | 0 |
| Inter Milan vs Barcelona | 20/04/2010 | UEFA Champions League | 3-1 | Barcelona | Inter Milan | 1 | 3 |
| Barcelona vs Inter Milan | 28/04/2010 | UEFA Champions League | 1-0 | Barcelona | Inter Milan | 1 | 0 |
| Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 29/11/2010 | La Liga | 5-0 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 5 | 0 |
| Real Madrid vs Barcelona | 16/04/2011 | La Liga | 1-1 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 1 | 1 |
| Real Madrid vs Barcelona | 20/04/2011 | Copa del Rey | 1-0 (AET) | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 0 | 1 |
| Real Madrid vs Barcelona | 27/04/2011 | UEFA Champions League | 0-2 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 2 | 0 |
| Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 03/05/2011 | UEFA Champions League | 1-1 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 1 | 1 |
| Real Madrid vs Barcelona | 14/08/2011 | Spanish Super Cup | 2-2 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 2 | 2 |
| Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 17/08/2011 | Spanish Super Cup | 3-2 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 3 | 2 |
| Real Madrid vs Barcelona | 10/12/2011 | La Liga | 1-3 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 3 | 1 |
| Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 18/01/2012 | Copa del Rey | 2-1 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 2 | 1 |
| Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 25/01/2012 | Copa del Rey | 2-2 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 2 | 2 |
| Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 21/04/2012 | La Liga | 1-2 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | 1 | 2 |
| Bayern Munich vs Chelsea | 30/08/2013 | UEFA Super Cup | 2-2 (Bayern win on penalties) | Bayern Munich | Chelsea | 2 | 2 |
| Manchester United vs Manchester City | 10/09/2016 | Premier League | 1-2 | Manchester City | Manchester United | 2 | 1 |
| Manchester United vs Manchester City | 26/10/2016 | EFL Cup | 1-0 | Manchester United | Manchester City | 0 | 1 |
| Manchester City vs Manchester United | 27/04/2017 | Premier League | 0-0 | Manchester City | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester United vs Manchester City | 10/12/2017 | Premier League | 1-2 | Manchester City | Manchester United | 2 | 1 |
| Manchester City vs Manchester United | 07/04/2018 | Premier League | 2-3 | Manchester City | Manchester United | 2 | 3 |
| Manchester City vs Manchester United | 11/11/2018 | Premier League | 3-1 | Manchester City | Manchester United | 3 | 1 |
| Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City | 02/02/2020 | Premier League | 2-0 | Manchester City | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 2 |
| Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City | 21/11/2020 | Premier League | 2-0 | Manchester City | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 2 |
Head-to-Head Overview:
- Total Matches: 25
- Pep Guardiola Wins: 12
- Jose Mourinho Wins: 7
- Draws: 6
Watch the video : How jose became the best
Conclusion: Pep vs Jose – A Rivalry for the Ages
The Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho rivalry is more than just a series of matches—it’s a clash of footballing philosophies. Guardiola’s fluid, possession-based game contrasts sharply with Mourinho’s pragmatic, defense-first approach. Their battles have spanned multiple countries and competitions, producing some of the most iconic moments in football history.
While Mourinho has had his moments of triumph, Guardiola holds the edge in their head-to-head record. Their rivalry has not only shaped their careers but also influenced modern football tactics in ways that will be remembered for years to come.
FAQs on Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho rivalry
- Who has won more matches, Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho?
- Pep Guardiola holds the edge in their head-to-head record, with more wins than Mourinho across various competitions.
- What is the most famous Pep vs Jose match?
- The Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid match in 2010 is widely regarded as the most famous, where Guardiola’s side humiliated Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
- How many times have Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho faced each other?
- As of 2023, Guardiola and Mourinho have faced each other 25 times, with Pep winning the majority of those encounters.
- Which trophies have Pep and Jose won during their rivalry?
- Both managers have won multiple Champions League, league titles, and domestic cups during their rivalry across Spain, England, and Germany.
- What is the key difference between Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho’s football philosophy?
- Guardiola is known for his possession-based, attacking style, while Mourinho is famous for his pragmatic, defensive-minded approach.
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