Pep Guardiola Uses Michael Jordan And Jack Nicklaus Stats To Defend Man City's Champions League Record

Pep Guardiola defends his lack of Champions League success with Manchester City by citing the career records of Michael Jordan and Jack Nicklaus.

Pep Guardiola has defended his lack of Champions League success with Manchester City by citing the career records of basketball legend Michael Jordan and golf icon Jack Nicklaus.

Guardiola is currently in his seventh season as City manager and has so far failed to conquer Europe once with the Etihad Stadium outfit.

City lost to Monaco in the Champions League's round of 16 during Guardiola's first season at the club, before suffering three consecutive quarter-final exits.

In 2021, City went all the way to the final only to lose 1-0 to Chelsea.

Last season, Guardiola's side lost 6-5 on aggregate to Real Madrid in an epic semi-final.

City are currently rated as favorites to win the tournament this season, despite facing a tricky quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

But Guardiola attempted to ease the pressure on his players by pointing out that even the best teams and sports stars of all time fail more than they succeed when it comes to winning the biggest prizes of all.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Tuesday's first leg at home to Bayern, Guardiola said: "Yesterday, it was the Masters. How many Masters has Jack Nicklaus played or majors has he played in his career? In 30 or 40 years as a golfer, all four majors? How many wins out of 130? Eighteen wins out of 130. Wow. He loses more than he wins. That is sport.

"In football, in golf, in basketball. Michael Jordan, the best athlete for me in basketball, won six NBA titles out of 16 years. He loses more than he wins."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured at a press conference the day before his team's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich :: IMAGO/Propaganda Photo/David Rawcliffe

Guardiola's stats were not totally accurate but close enough to make his point.

Nicklaus did indeed win 18 major tournaments, but he actually competed in 164, rather than 130.

Meanwhile, six-time NBA champion Jordan played for 15 seasons, not 16.