Guardiola’s five wins from five betters the first five games of any of the 43 managers (inclusive of caretaker bosses) who have taken charge of the Blues over the last 136 years.
It’s quite a statistic and will delight the Catalan who admitted his players are well ahead of schedule in terms of absorbing his tactics, training and playing style.
City have banged in 15 goals in the first five matches this campaign, averaging three per match, with Guardiola promising there is much more to come.
Other great starts
City kicked off the 1912/13 campaign with five straight wins – all in the league – under new manager Ernest Mangnall, but records suggest his tenure began after the Blues had already registered a couple of victories.
John Bond picked up the reins partway through the 1980/81 season with City on the bottom of the First Division. The actual beginning of his reign is a little sketchy – he sat in the stands as City were beaten 1-0 by Birmingham City at Maine Road before overseeing four wins and a draw in his first five matches.
Les McDowall began his spell with seven wins and three draws from his first 10 matches in charge – three victories to begin with – though his next seven seasons in charged failed to produce one victory on the opening day!
Sam Ormerod had been in charge for three campaigns before his side kicked off the 1897/98 season with seven wins and Peter Hodge (1926/27) started with four wins and a draw.
Legendary manager Joe Mercer began unbeaten in his first eight games in all competitions, winning four and drawing four and Sven-Goran Eriksson started with three successive wins and won four out of his first five matches in charge in 2007/08.
Sven’s perfect 10
Sven’s record of 10 successive home wins as boss will take some beating! The Swede enjoyed 10 wins on the bounce after taking over at City before Blackburn Rovers came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, ending a remarkable run.
Roberto Mancini took over from Mark Hughes in December 2009 and won his first four games in charge before losing 2-0 to Everton and he began the title-winning season in 2011/12 with four wins and a draw – though the blistering Premier League form of 12 wins and 2 draws from the first 14 games will also take some beating.
Manuel Pellegrini’s best start to a campaign was last year, with five successive victories, though that was the Chilean’s third season in charge.
So Pep has made the best start possible – can he make it six in a row? Just the small matter of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford that stands in the way!
