Pep: I’ll miss him but I’ll sleep better
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he will miss his old sparring partner Jurgen Klopp when the Liverpool manager calls time on his reign at the end of the season.
Klopp stunned the soccer world on Friday when he announced that this would be his last season at the Anfield club he took the helm of in 2015, and led to multiple trophies.
Asked after his side’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round win at Tottenham Hotspur if the news had been a shock, Guardiola said: “A little bit, he’s an absolutely incredible manager and I know I don’t know him closely, but he’s an incredible person.
“I have a feeling that he’s leaving part of us, too, at Man City, as Liverpool have been our biggest rival during his time there.
“Personally, he has been my biggest rival from when he was at Dortmund and I was at Bayern Munich. He will be missed, personally, I will miss him. I am pleased, though, because without him, I will sleep a little bit better the night before we play against Liverpool! But, I wish him all the best.”
City has jousted with Liverpool in several epic title races since Guardiola and Klopp both took charge, and look set to go toe-totoe again this season, with Liverpool and City first and second in the standings, respectively.
“He doesn’t admit it, but he will be back,” Guardiola, whose City side is seeking a fourth successive league title, said. “All the managers will (feel tired) when you’ve done many years, I feel it completely.
“I felt it at Barcelona, so I understand it completely.”
Klopp, who has won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup during his spell in charge of the Reds, said he had made the decision because his energy for the job was waning.
“I think the Premier League is going to miss his charisma, personality and the way his teams play,” added Guardiola.
“They have always been a pleasure to watch, given how positive they are in their approach. They try to win every game. I wish him all the best.”
Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Haag, said of the news: “It’s no good for the Premier League. He brought the club back to where it belongs. He has done an amazing job.”