While American sports tend to remain relatively isolated from other markets, there has been a synergy in recent years. In particular, soccer has seen a growing presence in the country, driven by the rise in popularity of MLS and the many investments stars have made in popular clubs.
However, as Manchester City manager and soccer legend Pep Guardiola calls it a career, he has received a ton of respect and tributes.
Among them, for curious-eyed basketball fans, was six-time NBA champion and one of the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan.
How Michael Jordan Reacted to Pep Guardiola’s Retirement
Widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in soccer history, Guardiola found success at virtually every level. Stepping in for FC Barcelona, he led the club to a continental treble in his first season, becoming the youngest manager to win the UEFA Champions League in the process.
Over the course of his tenure with Barca, he earned 14 honors and led them to another UEFA Champions League title and two more La Liga titles. From Barcelona, he joined Bayern Munich, where he won three straight Bundesliga titles.
In 2016, though, he took over Manchester City, beginning a decade-long run of dominance. Leading them to six Premier League titles, he was the mastermind behind the first run of four consecutive wins from 2021 to 2024.
Guardiola completely transformed Manchester City, taking them to their first Champions League final in 2020-21 before completing the continental treble in 2022-23. The longest-serving manager by matches in club history, he finally called it a career this season.
During his retirement ceremony, he received a special message from Jordan himself, who publicly expressed his admiration for Guardiola’s success. “Hey, Pep, this is Michael Jordan. I just want to congratulate you on an unbelievable career. Enjoy your retirement.”
However, Jordan also managed to put in a cheeky joke about their mutual love of golf, adding, “Good luck on the links and keep ’em straight.”
The team pulled out all the stops for an iconic figure’s sendoff.
That included an open-top bus parade through Manchester before a sold-out arena after-party. It was during that setting, inside the Co-op Live Arena, where over 19,000 people gathered, that the message from Jordan played.
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“Thank you so much for coming here tonight to say bye,” Guardiola said. “I’ve felt the connection that this club (has) from the first minute. Thank you so much, I don’t have enough gratitude. I will have (that with me) for the rest of my life.”
Now that the Spaniard is calling it a career, the support and love continue pouring in from every direction for one of the game’s all-time greats.
