Robert Lewandowski or Erling Haaland? Kevin De Bruyne or Andres Iniesta? Vote on Pep Guardiola's all-time best combined XI
Published 23/05/2026 at 08:36 GMT+1
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With Pep Guardiola's time at Manchester City coming to an end, we look at his greatest combined XI from his spells with Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
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It has been confirmed that Guardiola will leave City at the end of the season after 10 years in charge.
Guardiola has won 20 trophies during his time at Etihad Stadium and worked with a number of all-time great Premier League players.
So who's making it into a combined Guardiola all-time XI? Have your say by voting below - and then see our picks at the bottom.
Goalkeeper
There are three goalkeepers up for consideration.
Victor Valdes was a mainstay at Barcelona and key in developing the ‘tika-taka’ style with his passing ability.
Manuel Neuer was also far more than just a goalkeeper at Bayern, acting as a ‘sweeper-keeper’ and helping the team build possession.
And then there’s Ederson. Another goalkeeper who was extremely comfortable on the ball, the Brazilian could also pick out long-distance passes to help Man City break out of a press.
Right-back
Think of Guardiola’s best teams over the last 15 years and there is almost certainly a full-back driving down the right wing.
At Barcelona it was Dani Alves, at Bayern Munich it was Philipp Lahm, and at Manchester City it was Kyle Walker.
Centre-backs
Barcelona’s defence during Guardiola’s time in charge was marshalled by Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.
Vincent Kompany was the leader of Man City’s defence, and the scorer of the spectacular winning goal against Leicester City that proved key in the 2018/19 title victory.
John Stones was one of Guardiola’s first signings when he joined Man City and has been described as ”massively important” to the club’s success.
Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez also formed a solid centre-back partnership at Bayern.
Left-back
David Alaba and Joao Cancelo were both utilised as ‘inverted’ full-backs under Guardiola to great effect.
Alaba shone under Guardiola at Bayern and said in 2019, three years after Guardiola’s departure, that he was ”still benefitting” from what he learnt under the Catalan.
Cancelo became key to Man City’s play with his ability to step into midfield and help in possession and attack.
Midfielders
We’re going with a 4-3-3 for this combined XI, which means a wealth of options in midfield.
Is the best choice just to go with the esteemed Barcelona trio of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets?
Or should Ballon d’Or winner Rodri get in there? What about Xabi Alonso or Thiago from Guardiola’s time at Bayern?
And how about the man described by Guardiola as "one of the greatest midfielders to ever play in this country," Kevin De Bruyne?
Right wing
With apologies to Arjen Robben, this is surely the most nailed-on spot in the team.
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats and was at his very best during Guardiola’s time at Barcelona.
Riyad Mahrez gets a mention for being an important player for Guardiola at Man City.
Left wing
Who do you fancy on the left? The pace and drive of Thierry Henry, who won the Champions League with Barcelona, or the skill and vision of David Silva, who pulled the strings for Manchester City?
Perhaps Franck Ribery, who formed a lethal wing duo with Robben at Bayern?
Striker
Now it gets difficult - if it wasn’t already - as we choose who is going to lead the line in this team. Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, or Sergio Aguero?
Aguero and Haaland both scored a bucket-load of goals for Man City under Guardiola, while Lewandowski impressed at Bayern.
If you fancy a wildcard choice, how about Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who didn’t always see eye-to-eye with Guardiola during their one season together in Barcelona?
TNT Sports' best-ever Guardiola combined XI
We've had a crack at it and this is our best-ever Guardiola XI.
We've gone for Neuer between the sticks, with two Bayern players at the back, along with Kompany and Puyol.
It's hard to break up the Barcelona midfield but there has to be a place for De Bruyne, so Busquets misses out.
It's Messi and Ribery on the flanks, with Haaland up top to stick away the multitude of chances that come his way.
Pep Guardiola combined XI
Image credit: TNT Sports
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