Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PEP: WE’RE OBSESSED!
Trophy-mad Jose is my twin says Guardiola
PEP GUARDIOLA claims he and Jose Mourinho are “twins” because they are equally obsessed with winning trophies.
Guardiola faces his arch-rival in tomorrow’s Manchester derby and rejects any suggestion he would put style ahead of silverware because of his purist philosophy.
The Manchester City boss has won 10 major trophies in his nine-year coaching career and says he loves lifting them as much as Mourinho does.
“Definitely,” he said. “In that, we are twins. He wants to win trophies, I want to win trophies. I think Antonio Conte (right) is the same as well, and Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino.”
Guardiola was determined to maintain the high moral ground ahead of his latest duel with Mourinho, which he claims is their biggest Manchester derby.
While Mourinho likes to aim barbs from his side of the city, he insisted they have a “friendly” relationship. The Catalan claims he has no problem with Mourinho’s pragmatic approach, even though it differs markedly from his.
“I never criticise my colleagues for the way they play,” said Guardiola. “I never did in the past, I will never do it.
“Football is magnificent for that because every manager plays in the way they play. There are different ways to enjoy football.
“Our relationship is correct, it’s friendly. We haven’t bumped into each
other here though, but it’s correct.” For all these nice words, Guardiola would never invite Mourinho round to his city centre apartment or visit him in his suite at the Lowry Hotel just minutes away.
They keep their distance and Guardiola paid him a back-handed compliment by praising
United’s counterattacking display at
Arsenal. “When the statistics are good, they win and when they are not good, they are able to win 3-1 at the Emirates, one of the most difficult stadiums,” he said.
“I think United are fantastic at that, when they concede 33 shots and they win 3-1. Few teams in the world are able to do that. That’s why you have to be careful.” Despite coaching in so many big games, Guardiola claims he still gets a buzz from a huge occasion like the derby as his league leaders collide with their nearest challengers.
“Going to Old Trafford is a pleasure,” he said. “I said many times when I was at Barcelona, Bayern
Munich and now here, that
I am a manager for this kind of game. This is the reason why we are here.”