The 37-year-old Spain and Barcelona legend first arrived at Old Trafford in 2004 after Sir Alex Ferguson snapped him up from the famed La Masia academy.

Ferguson thought highly of Gerard Pique and the former Barcelona and Manchester United defender was tipped to be a long-term prospect at Old Trafford.

However, Pique was limited to only 23 appearances during his time at the Red Devils and struggled to establish himself ahead of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

During his time at Old Trafford, the Spanish former centre-back lifted a Premier League title, a League Cup and a Champions League under United legend Ferguson.

Ferguson allowed Pique to leave United for a fee of around £5m in 2008 and the former Barcelona star made his sensational return to the Camp Nou.

Pique achieved incredible success on his return to the Spanish club, including lifting nine La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Rey trophies.

The 2010 World Cup winner struck up a formidable partnership with fellow Barcelona legend Carles Puyol and played under Pep Guardiola at the Camp Nou.

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Pique on Ferguson vs Guardiola debate

Gerard Pique made a whopping 616 appearances for Barcelona during his glittering career, with the former Manchester United player retiring from football in 2022.

The former Spain international became all too familiar with the management styles of both Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola during his illustrious playing career.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired from management in 2013, is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time after his legendary career in the sport.

The 82-year-old Scotsman lifted 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups during his glittering time at United.

Ferguson also achieved incredible success in Scotland before his Old Trafford arrival, with the United legend lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Aberdeen.

Guardiola, meanwhile, is considered one of the best managers of all time and had a prolific impact in Spain, England and Germany.

The Manchester City boss made a name for himself at Barcelona – both as a player and as a manager – and achieved huge silverware success at the Camp Nou.

Guardiola lifted three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and two Copa del Reys with Barcelona as a manager before leaving the Camp Nou.

The 53-year-old Spaniard carried on his success at Bayern Munich and captured three consecutive Bundesliga titles and two German Cups.

Guardiola has dominated the Premier League in the post-Ferguson era and lifted five league titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cups with City.

Speaking to BBC 5 Live Sport, Pique was asked to choose between Guardiola and Ferguson and the Barcelona legend has since changed his position on the debate.

“Another tough one. I would say when I started at Barcelona I would have said Ferguson, but now I think that after all of what he did: Pep,” he said.

Pique talks Man Utd legend Ferguson

Despite picking Guardiola over Ferguson, Pique holds the utmost respect for the former United manager and admitted that he was like a “second dad” to him.

“Alex Ferguson was a second dad to me,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Euro Leagues show, as per BBC Sport.

“He had that quality of really taking care of the young ones that were coming through.

“At the time they had a lot of young talent and Cristiano Ronaldo had just arrived, too.

“When I was in the dressing room, I felt very integrated and we had a very good team. My experience was incredible.

“I still have a really great relationship with some of my teammates like Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.”
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