PEP GUARDIOLA shed emotions as he paid his respects to Jurgen Klopp, the departing manager of Liverpool.
In their eighth season as Premier League champions, Manchester City won their tenth English championship with a 3-1 victory over West Ham on the championship game’s final day.
Pep Guardiola was emotional as he spoke about Jurgen Klopp
He said he was an important part of his life
Klopp had hailed Guardiola as the best manager in the world
It was an unprecedented day in English football history, as no club had previously won four consecutive titles prior to Guardiola’s squad.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard interrupted the festivities to discuss Klopp, his former No. 1 rival during his tenure in England.
In addition, the 53-year-old had difficulty speaking as he paid an impassioned homage to the German.
He stated, “I will greatly miss him.” Jurgen has played a significant role in shaping my existence.
“He elevated me to an unprecedented level of managerial expertise.”
“I believe we hold each other in the highest regard.
“I am convinced that he will return.”
“I just want to say thank you so much for his words but he knows personally that behind me there is a lot of things this club has provided and given to me.”
Klopp, 56, lauded the former Barcelona manager as “the best manager in the world” after his departure from Anfield, notwithstanding the 115 charges that continue to haunt the Etihad club.
How Klopp and Guardiola compare throughout their careers
He said: “Everybody knows about the 115 charges, but I have no clue what that means.
“I am solely informed of the numerical value. Regardless of what has transpired at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola remains the preeminent manager globally, and this is of the utmost importance.
“Had you appointed a different manager to that club, they would not have done four consecutive league titles.”
“That is his and his sons’ fault.” Does that imply they are free to do as they please?
“No. However, I am not sure what, if anything, they accomplished, and I am not in a position to assert that they have.
“Everything will be seen.” Undoubtedly, I would be interested in ascertaining City’s culpability at some point in the future.
“Everyone is curious.” I will be elsewhere, however.
“The quality of Pep makes the difference so I don’t worry about these things.
“Everything will be seen.” It’s not my problem and I am fine with what we have and what we’ve achieved.”
Klopp is the only manager to have won more games against Guardiola than he has lost.
The Reds also finished runners up to City twice with the title going down to the final day, with one season seeing them finish on 97 points and the other seeing them finish on 92.
Liverpool also knocked City out of the Champions League in spectacular fashion in 2018.
Moments after lifting the title, Guardiola hinted he could follow him out of the door when his contract is up next season.
He said: “The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying. We have talked with the club — my feeling is that I want to stay now.
“So I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years? We will see.”