Forget the two sackings, Guardiola says his one-time bitter rival Mourinho should be judged as a winner

PEP GUARDIOLA says arch rival Jose Mourinho deserves respect – despite being sacked from his last two jobs.

The pair endured an intense and toxic rivalry when they were in charge of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

But the anticipated battle between the duo never materialised in Manchester, with Pep’s City proving far too good for Jose’s United.

They come face to face again tomorrow when City tackle Tottenham, the first time they have met since Mourinho was booted out of Old Trafford.

The Spaniard said his rival does not deserve to be judged on his last two jobs, and rejected the notion his methods are outdated compared to his and those of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

Guardiola pointed out: “The value of Jose, a manager with a lot of experience, with a lot of success, is not to be judged on one season, or one-anda-half seasons. The guys who judge his career, not on 15 or 20 years, it’s because people don’t understand anything.

“I know we get judged for the last game, the ideas we have or something we do.

“But as a professional I try to judge my colleagues not for one season, but 10 or 15 years, a long career.

“That, for me, gives more value. Periods for managers are up and down, everyone has it. You have seasons with good and bad periods, you have to change teams and build things.

“For 15 or 20 years, Jose has been there all the time and that must be respected, because it’s the most difficult thing – to be there all the time.”

City winger Leroy Sane, out since the start of the season with a knee ligament injury, is back in training but needs more time to recover.

Sane (below) has rejected City’s offer of a new contract, with Guardiola admitting the winger – wanted by Bayern Munich – is no nearer to signing a new deal.

“We made him an offer a long time ago and all the time he rejected it,” said Guardiola. “So after that I don’t have any news.”