Pep Guardiola expressed heartfelt admiration for his longstanding adversary, Jürgen Klopp, acknowledging that both he and Manchester City would feel the absence of the Liverpool manager when he departs at the end of the season.
Guardiola conveyed that Klopp’s departure would result in a sense of loss for City, emphasizing the intensity of the rivalry between the two clubs as a defining factor in shaping his team’s achievements.
Speaking after City’s 1-0 FA Cup triumph against Tottenham, Guardiola revealed his empathy for Klopp, drawing parallels with his own need for a break after leaving Barcelona in 2012.
Despite affirming his enduring energy and commitment, Guardiola assured that he was prepared to fulfill his contract with City, extending until 2025, and playfully suggested the possibility of further extension.
With a smile, he quipped, “Do you want to sack me? I’m fine. There’s still one more year; I want to do it – and maybe I will extend.”
“I will sleep better [when Klopp goes]. The games we play before against Liverpool were almost a nightmare. Of course he will be missed. It was a shock [to hear the news]. I felt when I heard it that a part of Man City … we will lose something. We cannot define our period here without him … without Liverpool. Impossible.
“They have been our biggest rivals. And personally he [Klopp] has been the best rival I ever had in my life – in Dortmund when I was in Bayern, then here. I think the Premier League are going to miss him – the charisma, the personality and especially the way his teams play.
“Maybe it’s my opinion and he will not admit it but he will be back. I know it. Football needs managers and personalities like him. And I hope … it was our dream when we were together … hopefully now from next season we can have time to go to dinner together. Or have the drink that we deserve to take.
“He loves the game but it is nine years in the same place, the demand is so high. Every moment you think I need to breathe. I didn’t speak with Jürgen but maybe he feels that. Take a break, take a step back and take a perspective on everything. I understand completely. I don’t want to compare with him but at Barcelona I had that feeling. I needed the time to find myself.”
