Pep Guardiola Achieves Milestone with 40th Career Trophy as Manchester City Wins League Cup

Pep Guardiola has made history by winning his 40th trophy as a manager after Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the League Cup final. This victory not only marks a return to silverware for City but also highlights Guardiola's remarkable achievements, including five League Cup titles. With aspirations for more trophies this season, Guardiola continues to solidify his legacy in football. Discover more about his journey and the significance of this latest triumph.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 23, 2026, 13:27 IST

Guardiola's Historic Triumph

Pep Guardiola has reached a significant milestone in his managerial career, securing his 40th trophy as Manchester City triumphed over Arsenal with a 2-0 victory in the final of the 2026 English League (Carabao Cup) held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22. Nico O'Reilly shone brightly, netting both goals in the 60th and 64th minutes, marking a triumphant return to silverware for the Citizens. This victory signifies City's first trophy since their Premier League success in the 2023-24 season, breaking a trophy drought that lasted eight years during the 2024-25 campaign.

Guardiola has now amassed 19 trophies during his decade-long tenure at Manchester City, which began in 2016.

Pep Guardiola Makes History

This win in the 2025-26 season marks the fifth occasion Guardiola has clinched the League Cup. Previously, he led City to victory in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 seasons. His remarkable achievement of four consecutive titles ties him with Liverpool for the most consecutive wins in the tournament's history, which spans 66 years. Guardiola is the first manager to win the League Cup five times, surpassing three legendary figures who each won it four times.

Most English League Cup Titles As Managers

Name	Titles	Clubs	Years
Pep Guardiola	5	Manchester City	2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-2021, 2025-26
Brian Clough	4	Nottingham Forest	1977-78, 1978-79, 1988-89, 1989-90
Sir Alex Ferguson	4	Manchester United	1991-1992, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10
Jose Mourinho	4	Chelsea (3), Manchester United (1)	2004-05, 2006-07, 2014-15, 2016-17

Guardiola is poised to further enhance his trophy cabinet this season, aiming for a seventh Premier League title. He ranks as the second-most successful manager in England's top division, trailing only Sir Alex Ferguson, who led Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles. Under Guardiola's leadership, City has been crowned champions in the seasons 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. Additionally, they secured their inaugural UEFA Champions League title in the 2022-23 season and lifted the FA Cup in 2018-19 and 2022-23. Overall, Guardiola's trophy haul includes two Champions League titles with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, along with three La Liga titles and three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich. His 40 official trophies place him second in the all-time managerial records, just behind Ferguson's 49. The recent League Cup victory also marks Manchester City's ninth triumph in the competition, placing them second in the all-time rankings, just behind Liverpool's ten titles.