Pep Guardiola becomes first manager to win the EFL cup 5 times

IKEJA, Nigeria - March 23, 2026 - PRLog -- Pep Guardiola has added another landmark to his remarkable managerial career by becoming the first coach in history to win the EFL Cup five times. The Manchester City manager reached that milestone on March 22 after guiding City to a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, a result that delivered the club's ninth League Cup title and underlined Guardiola's lasting dominance in English football.

The final itself was decided in the second half, when 21-year-old Nico O'Reilly emerged as the unlikely hero. After a tense opening period, City took control through O'Reilly's first goal, which came after an error from Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Just four minutes later, the young midfielder struck again with another header, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing the first major domestic trophy of the English season for Guardiola's side.

Guardiola's fifth triumph in the competition is especially significant because it sets him apart from some of the most successful managers in English football history. The League Cup has often been seen as a secondary domestic trophy compared with the Premier League or FA Cup, but it has still been fiercely contested and historically difficult to dominate over a long period. Guardiola's record now stands alone, reflecting not just longevity, but a level of consistency in knockout football that very few managers have matched. Reuters described it as a record fifth League Cup victory, while AP also noted that the achievement made him the first manager to reach that total.

The achievement also arrives at an important moment in City's season. Guardiola himself admitted afterward that the competition does not carry the same prestige as the Premier League or Champions League, but the timing of the win gives City renewed belief after a more inconsistent campaign than usual. Reuters said the trophy was Guardiola's 16th major honour since taking charge of City in 2016, while other reporting described the Wembley win as a reminder that he remains the master of English domestic football when the pressure is highest.

For Guardiola, records are rarely the main story for long. His focus will quickly return to City's remaining battles this season. But this milestone matters. Becoming the first manager to win the EFL Cup five times is another sign of how deeply he has shaped the modern English game. At Wembley, Guardiola did not simply win another final. He moved into a category entirely his own.

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