Pep Guardiola’s bid to win the UEFA Champions League for a fourth time will begin when Manchester City host Napoli on Thursday night.
The 2025/26 campaign will be Guardiola’s 17th involvement in the Champions League, moving him to joint-fifth among the managers with the most campaigns in the competition. His 17th season will move Guardiola level with Jose Mourinho in fifth place on the list.
Sir Alex Ferguson is third, having led Manchester United in 18 different Champions League campaigns. He twice won the competition with the Red Devils, as part of a historic treble in 1998/99 and for a second time in 2007/08.
Arsene Wenger is second, having been involved in 20 separate seasons of Champions League football. No manager has competed in more Champions League campaigns than the Frenchman without winning the trophy.
The former Arsenal manager helped the Gunners qualify for the tournament for 19 straight seasons during his time in North London. Wenger also coached Monaco in the Champions League in 1993/94.
The manager with the most Champions League campaigns is Carlo Ancelotti, who has managed in 22 different seasons. Ancelotti holds the record for the most Champions League wins as a manager (5), having won two titles with AC Milan and three with Real Madrid.
The managers with the most Champions League campaigns
=5. Pep Guardiola (17*)
=5. Jose Mourinho (17)
3. Sir Alex Ferguson (18)
2. Arsene Wenger (20)
- Carlo Ancelotti (22)
*Guardiola will begin his 17th season when Manchester City face Napoli on Thursday*
Read –Â The five favourites to win the 2025/26 Champions League
See more –Â Champions League: Five youngsters to look out for this season
