PEP’S NOT SO SPECIAL
Karanka: Jose’s best coach in the world...
PEP GUARDIOLA is just a poor man’s Jose Mourinho.
That is the opinion of Aitor Karanka, the coach trying to knock him out of the FA Cup today.
There is little love lost between Karanka, Mourinho’s former Real Madrid number two, and Barcelona legend Guardiola after they crossed swords in La Liga.
Mourinho is already one up on his cross-city rival stakes ManchesterLeague Karanka Middlesbroughin this Cup said:the seasonfinal silverware“Is United’s success.Pep after boss the bestNo. world The coachis best Jose in coach Mourinho.the world?in the during“He his has career shownat Porto,it at Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United. He was the best in Spain, and he still is the best. Jose did
FROM BACK PAGE start this season with some criticism, but he has already won a trophy for United.
“Guardiola has to win the Premier League to show he is one of the best ever. He has shown he can win titles in Spain and in Germany, and he probably thought he’d do the same in England.”
Karanka reckons the Premier League has been a culture shock to the former Barca and Bayern Munich boss, whose third-placed side trail Antonio Conte’s Premier League leaders Chelsea by 10 points going into the last 11 games.
He added: “Guardiola’s realised that this is a different football, a different league, and he has grasped how difficult the challenge is. It’s taking him time to adapt and it’s not been easy for him.
“It’s difficult when you arrive in a new country, with a new philosophy where a lot of things are different. He has some very good players, but the mentality is different.”
Karanka is yet to finish on the losing side in two previous encounters with City, including a famous cup win for Boro at the Etihad two years ago.
He will still offer his rival a drop of traditional Catalan sparkling wine Cava when inviting him into his office for a quick bite to eat after today’s game.
Karanka added: “He was frustrated when we earned a draw at theirs earlier this season, and hopefully we can give another good account of ourselves in the cup-tie.”