StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

PEP GUARDIOLA ADMITS JURGEN KLOPP RIVALRY LEFT A VOID: ‘I MISS HIM’

Pep Guardiola marks his 1,000th managerial game against Liverpool, the "perfect" rival. The Man City boss admits he misses his old foe Jurgen Klopp, crediting their rivalry for pushing him to new heights.

Pep Guardiola Admits  Jurgen Klopp Rivalry Left a Void: ‘I Miss Him’
Pep’s Heartfelt Words on His Old Rival - (Image: Getty Images)

In the 1,000th game of his managerial career, Pep Guardiola acknowledges that he misses Jurgen Klopp as he gets ready to play his fiercest rival's former team.

But as he approaches four figures with a visit from the Premier League's defending champions on Sunday, the Manchester City manager believes there can be no more appropriate opponent than Liverpool.

Before Klopp left the Anfield hotseat last year, Guardiola enjoyed several title battles with the German manager.

The Spaniard considers those fights to be among the high points of his illustrious career, which has included trophy-filled nine years at City, as well as successful stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

"If I were to pick one rival for this personal milestone, that I want to share with many others, they would be the best," stated Guardiola, the six-time Premier League champion and Champions League champion with City.

"I have been in this country longer than ever before. Naturally, Barcelona had a huge influence on my life as a ballboy, football player, manager, and so on, and Bayern was also a fantastic move.

However, Liverpool—especially with Jurgen—has been this nation's fiercest foe, and to be honest, it could not be better. That is what fate decreed, and it is good to live with it.

"I believe we respected one another, whether it was on Pep's or Jurgen's side. I felt that Jurgen was a big part of my life, and I miss him.

"I learned a lot from him, including how much I need to think, work, and do to improve it to defeat that guy."

In the 999 games he has managed since taking over Barcelona B in 2007, Guardiola has won 715 of them.

At a press conference on Friday, Guardiola declared, "The numbers are outrageous." "I do not care how many, but when you reach a milestone and see your accomplishments, including your averages and victories outside of the Premier League and Champions League,

"In Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and here, we have accomplished amazing feats. It is really hard to get there.

"I would not make it if I started over. There are too many games, not enough losses, and perhaps we can carry on on Sunday.

Guardiola acknowledges that without having some excellent players at his disposal, he would not have had the success he has.

"I have said that a thousand million times," he said. Although it appears to be fake humility, it is the truth.

"How does it happen that this percentage surpasses 70% of victories? Because you are with the players I had in Barcelona, Munich, and Manchester City, it is possible. No more secrets.

"After that, it takes a lot of hard work—a lot of love, passion, devotion, and tenacity that no one can beat me."

Before answering more humbly, Guardiola joked that those who say he is the greatest of all time are "absolutely right."

"I never began to think I want to be the best," he stated. I do not mind losing.

LEEDS MUST WATCH CLOSELY! CRESSWELL TRANSFER COULD HAND FARKE A SURPRISE BONUS TODAY

Is Charlie Cresswell heading back to the PL? West Ham tracks the Toulouse star as Daniel Farke prepares a picky January spree.

top-news
West Ham Plot £13m January Raid For Cresswell

Leeds United might see some extra cash coming their way this January. Word is that West Ham United is eyeing Charlie Cresswell, who used to play defence for Leeds, according to ExWHUemployee.

Cresswell, who's 23, came up through Leeds United’s academy. Back when Jesse Marsch was the boss, he praised Cresswell’s great attitude.

He did well on loan at Millwall. Their manager, Gary Rowett, said Cresswell had some rare qualities, and there was hope he could get some playing time at Elland Road.

But under Daniel Farke, Cresswell didn’t get much of a chance and ended up going to France.

Toulouse, a team in France, bought Cresswell from Leeds for about £3.8 million. During those talks, Leeds made sure to include a sell-on clause in the deal.

Since joining Toulouse, Cresswell has been doing great. Last summer, several teams were after him, including West Ham.

The Hammers wanted to strengthen their defence that summer, but Crystal Palace's signing of Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse made things tricky for West Ham to get Cresswell.

West Ham suggested a loan to Les Violet with an option to buy Cresswell for £13 million, but the French team said no.

Now that the winter transfer window is getting close, West Ham is figuring out how to support their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, in strengthening the team, and Cresswell is again on their list.

Cresswell fits the kind of player Nuno wants because he’s determined to help the Hammers get back on track this season.

Cresswell played 14 games for Leeds before leaving, including five in the Premier League.

Because of that sell-on clause, Leeds is expected to get 15% of any profit Toulouse makes if they sell him in the future. Leeds is hoping Cresswell attracts even more teams this window so they can get the most money possible.

Cresswell has played in all 12 league games for Toulouse this season and helped them keep four clean sheets, though he’s also received three yellow cards.

If he moves in January, Leeds could get a surprise bonus, which Farke could then use to bring in his own players.

Farke is ready to make signings but has said he will be ‘especially picky.’

UPDATE: TOTTENHAM LEAD RACE FOR RAYAN AFTER BARCELONA’S KEY TRANSFER ADVANTAGE VANISHES

Tottenham’s path to Rayan clears as he leaves agent Pini Zahavi. With a £100m cash injection, Spurs are ready for a January move.

top-news
Rayan Dumps Agent! Tottenham Must Strike Now

Tottenham might be getting a leg up in their chase for Rayan, the €50 million Brazilian starlet. He just cut ties with his agent before the January transfer window opens. Rayan’s been turning heads in South America this season, and top European clubs are starting to make serious plans to grab him.

Spurs have had their eye on Vasco da Gama's Rayan for months. They like how quickly he's improving and how well he performs in Brazil's Serie A. But there was a report that Real Madrid might try to swoop in with a €50 million bid. They're supposedly looking at Rayan after Endrick went to Lyon on loan. Word is, that kind of offer would make things much more competitive, especially since Tottenham was initially thinking around €40 million. It shows how much Rayan's value has increased!

Here's where it gets interesting: Sport says Rayan is no longer working with agent Pini Zahavi. This could be good news for Spurs! Apparently, when Zahavi was in the picture, Barcelona was in line to sign Rayan because their director, Deco, had a good relationship with Zahavi. Now that Zahavi's gone, Tottenham is likely hoping their odds have gone up when it comes to convincing Rayan to join the Premier League.

Also, Tottenham's feeling pretty confident in the transfer market, thanks to a fresh £100 million investment from their majority shareholders, the Lewis family trust. This makes them stronger financially as they plan for the future.

The club mentioned during the ownership change, "We're happy to say that the Lewis family trust has put £100 million of new money into the club." This will make the club even stronger financially and give the team more resources to keep focusing on winning in the long run. The Lewis family is dedicated to the club and its future.

So, what's next for Spurs?

They need some new attacking players after struggling this season. Frank's team has only won two of their last five Premier League games and is currently 14th in the standings. Their next game is Sunday against Crystal Palace. It's a really important match.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News