Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his sympathy for Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United on Monday.
Ten Hag was dismissed as United manager with his side 14th in the Premier League table, having finished eighth last season.
Guardiola's City faced off against United seven times during Ten Hag's 29-month reign at Old Trafford.
City won four of those games - including a 6-3 victory in October 2022 - but United famously beat their neighbours 2-1 in the final of last season's FA Cup.
Speaking on Tuesday, Guardiola had some kind words for his former rival.
'Always I feel sorry for managers [when they are sacked], you know?' Guardiola said at a press conference. 'He's lost his position, so I'm so sorry for him.
'I have a good, I think incredible relationship [with him]. I think he represented Manchester United at the highest level in terms of behaviours, of course.
'Our job as managers is one of the few jobs – in all the jobs in the world – where people are expecting to be sacked. People are expecting you don't have a job.
'I don't see architects or doctors or teachers or anything... the people deciding [their futures don't say]: "Get out." It's only us. It's our job, we have to accept it.
Guardiola went on to predict that Ten Hag will 'come back stronger'.
The Spaniard added: 'I wish him all the best, he and his family, and of course he's going to come back stronger.
'He knows, I know, everybody knows: our job depends on the results. The results are not good enough.
'I'm saying that, and even myself, I'm not an exception. If the results are not good, there isn't anything that can sustain it. Our job, unfortunately, is as simple as that. You have to get results.
'If you are [there] because you are handsome, or because you [speak well], or have good relationships with the hierarchies, forget about it.
'I have an incredible relationship with my hierarchy, but if I didn't get results, I wouldn't be here. This is a business, and when you become a manager, you have to know it.'
Guardiola has been in charge at Man City since July 2016. His current contract is due to expire in June next year.
zobkrtyz
1
An Era comes to an "END " He wants to end the Monopoly of Guardiola and jurgen Kloop in England but instead he was sent parking... Lesson learnt, do not be making too much mouth because others are not just there to be watching you...My advice to Arteta is he should minimize what he has been ottering if not not he will be next manager that will be sent parking at the end of the season if did not win a trophy
Lovebug2
0
Imagine , new manager comes in and Manchester United drops to 16th on the log table
Cityfanchamp23
0
ten Haag build a great team ,good players won you fools the Fa cup ,and still being ungrateful,the problem is some players not the couch
PrimeGeorge07
2
Pep really? When you are fully aware that you were the one that sacked him after retiring Klopp. 🤪😜😝😂🤣
Allfootball1995
2
No student can beat the master, this is what Pep has shown us.
skychilee
0
At the same we felt sorry for MU too, for making a right decision that should have cone a season ago. It destroyed the morale and pushed the team further down to a position that will take longer rehabilitation, and set barrier for returning to higher level. A big waste of money and time !
jaoabmstz
2
Pep has said it all, the job of a coach is to get good results for the team, if the results are not coming then you have to go, is business. The results under ETH are not good enough for a club like United.
Fieirsuyz
0
everyone feel sorry for free point
De’Nero
0
Crocodile tears! He has enough on his own place. The looming FFP Charges and the impending doom for city
Thts how you respond to sympathy??Wat a shame….oo wait ur a Utd fan so your already a shame!!
Bazacklrtz
2
For me I’ll miss him at the standing as a coach
Tunbdlmuy
0
Pep classy manager. I am United fan
Sofreshh
0
If me sad to of i lost my punching bag
yuucdeptu
0
Crocodile tears! He has enough on his own place. The looming FFP Charges and the impending doom for city
LobbyWilliams
2
you are only feeling sorry why did you share some of your tactics with him 🧐🧐