Pep Guardiola says he never expected to take charge of 700 games when he first became a manager back in 2008.

The boss will reach the impressive milestone when City take on Fulham on Saturday, having won an incredible 29 major trophies in 11 full seasons managing four different sides. 

He began his management career with Barcelona B, winning the 2008 Tercera Division play-offs and achieving promotion.

He was then given the Barcelona job and presided over a period of unparalleled success, winning 14 major trophies in four seasons at Camp Nou.

After a year’s sabbatical in New York, he took the reins at Bayern Munich in 2013, where he added a further seven trophies to his CV. 

And in his four full seasons as City boss, he has won eight trophies, setting a series of significant English records along the way.

Guardiola says he is delighted to reach the milestone and sent his thanks to those he has worked with along the way.

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“Yes I will do 700 more... then afterwards retire!” he said.

“When you start, I never expected. It’s good to have 700 games and so few defeats in these games.

“All the players staff we had at Barcelona B, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here – I want to share this number with them.

“We make incredible things together and hopefully we can do it in the future.”

Meanwhile, Guardiola has praised Fernandinho‘s contribution after the Brazilian starred in a central-midfield role during our draw with Porto this week

The Brazilian’s current City contract expires at the end of the season, and although Guardiola says leaves all negotiations to members of the City boardroom, he believes Fernandinho is a player with an exceptional understanding of the holding role. 

“It’s not my part of the club. I’m a manager - a trainer,” he said.

“He is important for all of us, for me personally.

“The game against Porto showed this incredible personality. We need holding midfielders. He knows the position perfectly

“Last season, he helped us in another position [centre-half]. He is coming back in his position because now we have five central defenders.

“What’s going to happen at the end of the season, the club will talk about.”

We will have full coverage of Saturday’s game right here on ManCity.com

Our Matchday Centre will get under way at 1pm, with text updates throughout the evening meaning you won’t miss a beat. 

Our We’re Not Really Here live matchday show starts at 2pm, with Shaun Wright-Phillips, Shaun Goater and Michael Brown all joining us in the studio. 

And CITY+ subscribers can enjoy a full 90-minute replay from midnight. 

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