Noel Gallagher Crowns De Bruyne as City's Greatest, Hails Guardiola's Mastery

Oasis star Noel Gallagher has offered his verdict on Manchester City's greatest player across an era of unprecedented dominance at the Etihad, where the club has captured eight Premier League crowns, three FA Cups, a Champions League trophy, and seven League Cups over the past decade and a half.

The longtime City supporter's admiration for manager Pep Guardiola shone through in candid remarks to TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher. Gallagher recalled their first meeting with characteristic warmth, describing how Guardiola's immediate impact left him starstruck. Flying in from Rome whilst on tour, the musician found himself mesmerised by the Catalan boss's presence and philosophy.

"From the minute he walked in, I was sold," Gallagher explained, adding that Guardiola had since become far more than a football manager—a romantic, a winner, and a man willing to phone a rock star at any hour. "It's been one of life's great pleasures to have known him," he reflected.

When it came to identifying the standout performer across City's trophy-laden years, Gallagher had little hesitation. Though David Silva earned honourable mention as a sublimely gifted footballer who glided through matches seemingly untouched, De Bruyne emerged as the clear victor in his assessment.

"De Bruyne was a killer," Gallagher said, recalling one particular moment against Stoke when Silva threaded an audacious pass to Leroy Sané across what felt like several counties, slicing through six defenders and the goalkeeper with surgical precision—a moment few in the stadium even registered.

Yet it was De Bruyne's influence on City's attacking prowess that truly captivated Gallagher. The Belgian's ability to find Erling Haaland with such consistency and brilliance essentially manufactured the Norwegian's legend, according to the Oasis man. "De Bruyne made the legend of Erling Haaland," he stated plainly. "He was the best striker of a footballer I've ever seen."

Guardiola's tactical masterclass extended across multiple eras. Gallagher identified two standout teams: the 2018/19 side that accumulated 100 points and swept the domestic treble, and the 2023 treble-winning squad. The latter's achievement of subsequently claiming four consecutive league titles may represent an even greater feat, he suggested.

"Imagine coming back into training after winning the treble and your boss simply says 'You haven't done anything' and they're straight back at it," Gallagher marvelled. "To do four in a row—that'll never be done in our lifetime again."

A new documentary, Roll The Tape: 10 Years of Pep Guardiola with Noel Gallagher, airs on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max this Saturday at 3.30pm, preceding the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final between Manchester City and Southampton.