Pep Guardiola hailed Jose Mourinho as an ‘incredible manager’ after he was appointed Tottenham boss earlier this week.
The Man City head coach will get a chance to renew his rivalry with Mourinho later this season.
The pair were on Louis van Gaal’s managerial staff together at Barcelona and went on to form successful careers in the dugout.
They have had several run-ins while at their various clubs, including Jose’s celebrations after knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League which in charge of Inter, and his mind games at Real Madrid that caused Guardiola to crack.
Guardiola was asked about Mourinho in his press conference ahead of Man City’s match with Chelsea, which is live on talkSPORT on Saturday evening.
He said: “You know him better than me. He was many years here in different clubs. Welcome back. An incredible manager and I’m pretty sure he’ll do a good job.
“I was a little surprised with Mauricio because he had done an incredible job and the club was better.
“Always the managers when they leave it is to know if the club and team are better than when they take over and I think it happened but decisions are made and there is nothing else to say.”
Guardiola also discussed other topics during his press conference, and you can read the best bits, below…
Ederson injury update
“Ederson is back. He trained the last few days without pain. [Aymeric] Laporte and [Leroy] Sane are still injured for two or three months.”
On Bernardo Silva ban for racism
“In that situation the less important thing is we are going to miss him. He has been accused for something he is not.
“If they want to pick up someone to show something it was the right person. He will be careful to use social media.
“If this can help to do a better society, ok. I’m pretty sure Bernardo accepts this punishment but he does not like he has been accused.”
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Were Derby Lampard’s Barcelona B?
“Yeah in those terms it is quite similar. You could say a little bit but it is too early. He has been a manager for a year-and-a-half and I am a little longer because I am a little older but he has his future in his hands.
“From my experience, experience doesn’t count much. I would say that when you know the club it is a good advantage and Lampard knows Chelsea perfectly and everything behind the scenes – media, fans, players – so that is good.
“When I arrived not many people trusted me, honestly. Few, few people. Maybe the president, sporting director and not many. Maybe Frank was similar at Derby. He didn’t take results and people said he didn’t have experience.
“At the start when nobody trusts you it is perfect because you win every game – you cannot lose more. The problem is when you have won titles and nothing is enough.
“In case for Frank, it is perfect, an ideal situation. At the big clubs you have incredible players so it is easier to do a good job in Chelsea or Barcelona than another club. If you work a lot and have patience, the results and success can come.”
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Raheem Sterling’s handling of Joe Gomez situation
“He is good. I spoke to him, he’s fine; he says Joe is an excellent guy and they have a good relationship.”
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