Pep is not even the best coach in Manchester!
Jose’s pal Karanka taunts Guardiola
AITOR Karanka has taunted opposite number Pep Guardiola by claiming he is not even the best boss in Manchester — and says he must win the Premier League before he can be compared to Jose Mourinho.
Middlesbrough entertain Guardiola’s Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals this lunchtime and it appears there is no love lost between the managers.
Karanka won the Champions League three times as a player with Real Madrid — and was later assistant to Mourinho at the Bernabeu — and is a long-time adversary of Barcelona legend Guardiola.
And the Boro boss said: ‘ Guardiola is not the best coach in the world — the best coach in the world is Jose Mourinho.
‘He has shown it at Porto, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United. He was the best (in Spain) and he still is the best.
‘I’ve never worked with Pep. Jose started this season with some criticism but he has already won two trophies for Man United. Jose is the best for me.’
City are 10 points behind league leaders Chelsea and Guardiola has as good as conceded the title.
Karanka, though, believes his compatriot has under- estimated the English league and says doubts still remain about his managerial ability.
‘I think he needs to win the Premier League (to prove he is one of the best),’ he said.
‘This is now his toughest job, he has (previously) taken over at clubs who were already very strong.
‘He has shown he can win titles in Spain with Barcelona and with Bayern Munich in Germany, and he probably thought he would do the same in England.
‘ But now I think he has realised that this is a different league and he has realised how difficult the challenge is.
‘It’s difficult when you arrive in a new country, with a new philosophy. The mentality here is different and it takes time to adjust.’
Karanka’s side came away with a 1-1 draw when they met at the Etihad in November and he admits Guardiola was not happy afterwards.
‘He was very frustrated, a team like City dropping two points against a newly promoted team like Middlesbrough, it was difficult for him, but it’s part of football,’ he said. ‘He has to accept that.’
Karanka admits he does not have a relationship with Guardiola but added: ‘We’ll have a drink after the game. Maybe he prefers cava instead of wine. I will buy cava for him.’
In response to Karanka’s vocal display of allegiance to Mourinho, Guardiola said: ‘It’s normal. Karanka worked with him and I admire the fact that people that work with Jose have a good word to say about him.’