PEP’S TOTT OF REGRET OVER KANE

PEP GUARDIOLA admits he was wrong to brand Tottenham as “the Harry Kane team”.

The Manchester City boss sparked a spat with Mauricio Pochettino when he made the throwaway remark about Tottenham 13 months ago.

Pochettino hit back, calling Guardiola’s comments “disrespectful” and “very sad” and now the Catalan concedes he made a mistake.

Guardiola (above) says Tottenham’s continued progression under Pochettino shows he was wrong to brand them a one-man team led by the England skipper. He now says they are a real threat to City’s league crown.

“They show me how wrong I was,” he said.

“Against Inter Milan they were better. They are one of the teams I like to watch the most. They have a lot of internationals, an English base, a young team, a good keeper and good strikers. They have everything to be there.”

Guardiola claims Pochettino has shown he is a top coach. They were first rivals when he managed Barcelona and the Argentinian was in charge across the city at Espanyol between 200912. And he claims Real Madrid could struggle to prise him away if they want him to be Julen Lopetegui’s successor.

City know first hand how tough a negotiator chairman Daniel Levy is and Guardiola says Real could also have difficulties dealing with him.

“He is already a top coach,” said Guardiola.

“For many years, he is training at a high level. He did an incredible job at Espanyol and Southampton and especially at Tottenham.

“I have a lot of respect for what he has done.

“He has been linked many times with Real Madrid but I don’t know what happens. But Mr Levy is not an easy guy to negotiate with!”