Pep Guardiola feels Jurgen Klopp will be “leaving a part of Man City” when he departs Liverpool following the pairs’ hotly contested title races. The German announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after nine years as manager because he is “running out of energy”. Following an FA Cup win over Tottenham, Guardiola said: “He’s been my biggest rival, so he will be missed.”
Pep Guardiola admitted he was sad to hear that his “biggest rival” Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Liverpool shocked the football world on Friday when they announced Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season after nine years in charge.
Following Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Tottenham, Guardiola said Klopp is also “leaving a part of Man City” following the years they shared the touchline fighting for the Premier League title.
“A little bit. A little bit,” Guardiola replied when asked if he was surprised by the news. “He’s an absolutely incredible manager. He’s an incredible person as well.
“I had a feeling that at the end of the season when he is leaving, part of us, Man City, is leaving too. They have been our biggest rival, Liverpool in these years.
“Personally, in [Borussia] Dortmund and here [in England] he’s been my biggest rival, so he will be missed. Personally, I will miss him.”
Klopp, who arrived on Merseyside in 2015, has decided to leave the club in the summer because he was “running out of energy”.
Guardiola sympathised with his German counterpart and admitted to feeling the same in his career, but has insisted his job isn’t done at Man City.
“All the managers [are feeling tired],” he said. “All the years and many, many years in the same place. I understand completely.
“I felt that in Barcelona, so today when I listened to that I understood completely.
“I’m fine. I want to do it still for one more year, and maybe extend [my contract].”
Although Guardiola will be sad to Klopp leave after contesting some of the most exciting title races the Premier League has ever seen, he’ll also be glad to see the back of him.
“I’m really pleased because without him I will sleep a little bit better the nights before we play against Liverpool,” Guardiola joked. “I wish him all the best.”
The Man City boss also predicted that we haven’t seen the last of him: “He will not admit it but he will be back,” he added.
“This personality, this energy, will be back. Football needs personalities and managers like him. I hope we can time to have dinner together.”
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