The Spaniard has played down his stellar coaching achievements ahead of a crucial top of the table Premier League clash with Live
Pep Guardiola has refuted Jurgen Klopp's claim that he's the best manager in world football, insisting "a lot of money" has helped him during his illustrious career.
Guardiola won numerous titles at Barcelona and Bayern Munich before joining City in 2016, and has since added three Premier League titles to his CV among a whole host of other English honours.
City are on course to retain the top-flight crown again this term and their head coach has recieved special praise from the only man that can still mastermind the champions' downfall, with second-placed Liverpool due to arrive at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
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Guardiola delivered two Champions League titles at Barca but hasn't won the trophy since, with his critics suggesting that he is often guilty of overthinking in Europe's elite competition.
The Spaniard jokingly hit back at those claims before City's quarter-final first leg win against Atletico Madrid earlier this week, and Klopp has followed up by insisting his credentials should never be called into question.
"Pep is the best coach in the world. I think we would all agree on that and it might be a coincidence that it didn't work out in the Champions League so far," the Liverpool manager told reporters on Friday.
"If anybody doubts him, I have no idea how that could happen."
Guardiola was flattered to hear Klopp's remarks, but also stressed that his success has been underpinned by huge financial backing.
"I'm not. I didn't become a manager to be the best. I'm not. Thank you so much, but I'm not. I'd like to say I'm the best, but I'm not," he said when quizzed on the German's praise.
"If we had success I said many times its because I was with incredible teams, with a lot of money, which the opponents like to hear. I'm in the process to learn and enjoy my job. I became a better manager."
Guardiola was also asked if he will share a bottle of wine with Klopp after City's meeting with Liverpool, which could prove to be a title decider as only one point currently seperates the two teams in the table.
"If we win I'd love it. I'll invite him! Jurgen makes world football a better place to live," he replied. "He's a huge competitor. I think it's good. I try to have a good relationship with all the managers.
"I learned it's better to have a relationship with them. He knows, we spoke together in Germany, and about my admiration for what he does, the message and the way his teams play.
"He's a good guy and I don't have any problems with him, absolute not. And he's said many times that we're a rich club so the wine will be perfect, high quality."
Mouabeiz
1
without middle east money from Arab he will cocah malaysia team or 3 world country
DebruyneChris
1
if Guardiola is really a best manager let him go and coach Norwich
Norwich will be in the top four, but as for man u
hinn4k`
1
Both paying respect to each other, i like it. I mean Pep had the money but he managed the shi. out of it(in a great way)
ziaacilmnu
0
"If we had success I said many times its because I was with incredible teams, with a lot of money, which the opponents like to hear." 👉The biased and bitter haters will say: he said it himself! It's thanks to money. BE LITERATE AND READ WELL: Do you know what "...with a lot of money, which the opponents like to hear" stands for? DID THE ARTICLE WRITER UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF THE SPEECH? WHY THEN DID HE AVOID STRESSING ON IT... Did anyone force Klopp to say it? If he did, it's because he thinks it's true to some extent. THE FACT IS, MOST OF HIS FELLOW COACHES CLAIM HE IS THE BEST. AND THE NUMBER OF THE TOP LEVEL COACHES WHO HAVE PUBLICLY CLAIMED PEP IS THE BEST CANNOT BE MATCHED BY THAT OF THOSE WHO WOULD GO FOR SOMEONE ELSE! Klopp has done great, but he hasn't matched Pep, and he knows it. But Pep is humble and wouldn't go around bragging and boasting! So no matter how much and why you hate Pep, your biased little opinion doesn't count!
Klopp has matched Pep as a coach. I hope you really understand that.
radelmotuy
1
Mumu😂 Luis Diaz, van dijk, Thiago, salah, Fabinho, Allison are all average player Abi 🤣🤣
Very Mumu person
radelmotuy
0
This derby needs a special name, who's with me ?
It’s not derby tho
Bigsam11628
0
Guardiola only won the champions league with Barcelona because of the determination of The likes of Samuel Eto'o,he had an even better squad at Bayern Munich but he couldn't win the champions league am not sure its with City his going to win, Any top Coach in the premier league with the amount of money invested in City would win everything in Europe
Oh!!! I now see how Man U have won lots of trophies in the past 5yesrs😂😂
Bigsam11628
0
"If we had success I said many times its because I was with incredible teams, with a lot of money, which the opponents like to hear." 👉The biased and bitter haters will say: he said it himself! It's thanks to money. BE LITERATE AND READ WELL: Do you know what "...with a lot of money, which the opponents like to hear" stands for? DID THE ARTICLE WRITER UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF THE SPEECH? WHY THEN DID HE AVOID STRESSING ON IT... Did anyone force Klopp to say it? If he did, it's because he thinks it's true to some extent. THE FACT IS, MOST OF HIS FELLOW COACHES CLAIM HE IS THE BEST. AND THE NUMBER OF THE TOP LEVEL COACHES WHO HAVE PUBLICLY CLAIMED PEP IS THE BEST CANNOT BE MATCHED BY THAT OF THOSE WHO WOULD GO FOR SOMEONE ELSE! Klopp has done great, but he hasn't matched Pep, and he knows it. But Pep is humble and wouldn't go around bragging and boasting! So no matter how much and why you hate Pep, your biased little opinion doesn't count!
You’ve got brains bro👍🏾🔥
Bigsam11628
1
money is power but brains the real deal..
You are wise joor You’ve got brains
Bigsam11628
0
this 2 coach they are like this from Germany bt klopp is the best, when u give him team he build it without buying quality players like gordiola
Mumu😂 Luis Diaz, van dijk, Thiago, salah, Fabinho, Allison are all average player Abi 🤣🤣
Nitackmnou
0
klop buld thus team with out billions every body knows Who is the best with out money
[image]
You are right bro Klopp is the best manager in the world right now
houablprst
5
if Guardiola is really a best manager let him go and coach Norwich
Rizadkrst
3
Both Pep and Klopp playing nice guys before Sunday show down
IPEN17
1
This derby needs a special name, who's with me ?
IAMJUNGKOOK
5
we should enjoy it until it lasts
Muzbdlntyz
2
this 2 coach they are like this from Germany bt klopp is the best, when u give him team he build it without buying quality players like gordiola
Muzbdlntyz
1
I love this team because of klopp Liverpool is Liverpool
steppenwolfgod
6
money is power but brains the real deal..
AmNelson7
6
"If we had success I said many times its because I was with incredible teams, with a lot of money, which the opponents like to hear." 👉The biased and bitter haters will say: he said it himself! It's thanks to money. BE LITERATE AND READ WELL: Do you know what "...with a lot of money, which the opponents like to hear" stands for? DID THE ARTICLE WRITER UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF THE SPEECH? WHY THEN DID HE AVOID STRESSING ON IT... Did anyone force Klopp to say it? If he did, it's because he thinks it's true to some extent. THE FACT IS, MOST OF HIS FELLOW COACHES CLAIM HE IS THE BEST. AND THE NUMBER OF THE TOP LEVEL COACHES WHO HAVE PUBLICLY CLAIMED PEP IS THE BEST CANNOT BE MATCHED BY THAT OF THOSE WHO WOULD GO FOR SOMEONE ELSE! Klopp has done great, but he hasn't matched Pep, and he knows it. But Pep is humble and wouldn't go around bragging and boasting! So no matter how much and why you hate Pep, your biased little opinion doesn't count!
zitadmopyz
0
peps teams did it long before klopp
give yourself a seat, you don't know how long ago his team has been playing the high press football. it is different from the Spanish tiki taka that Pep is used to right from Barcelona. In fact most arguments are so unnecessary that at times I wonder what fans want to achieve
ManoYNWA
6
Take a look at Manchester United they a rich club and had many managers after Furgerson but struggling to win the league title so money does by you the best players but it takes an extraordinary manager to keep the big players grounded and stay as a unit play as a team . so I'll say as a Liverpool fan Pep is Good
YNWApool
0
So the players he brought in were not bought dull man
Compare it with only your back line n mid field
YNWApool
0
the rivery is clear
😀😀😀
YNWApool
0
Most Humble manager of all time Pep Guardiola
You lie Klopp is
ManCityFanForever
5
Most Humble manager of all time Pep Guardiola
PEP-GUAIDIOLA
2
the rivery is clear
Nizwest
2
Mind games of these two
Yeucinryz
0
Guardiola only won the champions league with Barcelona because of the determination of The likes of Samuel Eto'o,he had an even better squad at Bayern Munich but he couldn't win the champions league am not sure its with City his going to win, Any top Coach in the premier league with the amount of money invested in City would win everything in Europe
With Chellshiiiiit money I think Mourinho won UCL there
City_Guy
1
pep can't manage club like Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal..... he can only couch club like PSG Real Madrid spend club owner
A Chelsea can to is 5slking about money in football........what a life
Space_Man
0
mind games. just the way he tried to seduce ATM manager to play beautiful football. but Simone is stubborn, no amount of mind games will make him leave the bus at home. he will definitely increase the length of the bus, to be parked in front of the woodwork
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣you cracked me up
56timefactoR
0
Guardiola only won the champions league with Barcelona because of the determination of The likes of Samuel Eto'o,he had an even better squad at Bayern Munich but he couldn't win the champions league am not sure its with City his going to win, Any top Coach in the premier league with the amount of money invested in City would win everything in Europe
Well said
City_Guy
0
klop buld thus team with out billions every body knows Who is the best with out money
[image]
He didn't even buy them, he only handpick them on the street
Space_Man
0
Guardiola only won the champions league with Barcelona because of the determination of The likes of Samuel Eto'o,he had an even better squad at Bayern Munich but he couldn't win the champions league am not sure its with City his going to win, Any top Coach in the premier league with the amount of money invested in City would win everything in Europe
What sense are you making? 0. How many UCLs has PSG won? Second highest spenders, Man Utd, have they won anything since Ferguson retired?
NeilOberholzerjwjje
0
funny how both coaches copy each others styles of play klopp team now control possession peps team will press you into mistakes
peps teams did it long before klopp
MandownCity4life
0
klop buld thus team with out billions every body knows Who is the best with out money
[image]
So the players he brought in were not bought dull man
Fuoalmnpuz
1
klop buld thus team with out billions every body knows Who is the best with out money
Sapcekmoy
2
pep can't manage club like Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal..... he can only couch club like PSG Real Madrid spend club owner
Chelsea has spent a lot of money and the fans always boast about it so don't try that.
vickipounds
0
funny how both coaches copy each others styles of play klopp team now control possession peps team will press you into mistakes
56timefactoR
7
Guardiola only won the champions league with Barcelona because of the determination of The likes of Samuel Eto'o,he had an even better squad at Bayern Munich but he couldn't win the champions league am not sure its with City his going to win, Any top Coach in the premier league with the amount of money invested in City would win everything in Europe
Hahdnorz
2
quoted if we had success I said many times its because I was with incredible teams,with a lot of money which the opponents like to hear end quote.. so please af writers yall should write the truth with understanding...incredible teams with lots of money ..doesn't means man City alone ok
DavidDaevchinyama
2
I love these two😂 they're both honest with a little bit of sarcasm in them
ItuzaChiloane
2
pep can't manage club like Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal..... he can only couch club like PSG Real Madrid spend club owner
it's beacuse he is too smart and intelligent so what's yr issue there
akiamo
3
I agree 👌, "a lot of money has helped". money solves a lot (everything) of things. "[Ecclesiastes-10:19] A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
shittabay
2
Its fact that Pep must admit though not taking away his sense of recognizing good admission to his system
heaceprtuy
0
pep can't manage club like Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal..... he can only couch club like PSG Real Madrid spend club owner
And later give a good at the end of the season so calm down Oga
Dukbdlsuy
4
pep can't manage club like Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal..... he can only couch club like PSG Real Madrid spend club owner
Enesi13
1
mind games. just the way he tried to seduce ATM manager to play beautiful football. but Simone is stubborn, no amount of mind games will make him leave the bus at home. he will definitely increase the length of the bus, to be parked in front of the woodwork
kayapeople
4
Pep to those calling him best manager without spending much money be lije