Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side will take on Liverpool this weekend as the Catalan manages his 1000th game but has got nostalgic over his relationship and rivalry with Jurgen Klopp
Pep Guardiola is having to get used to facing Liverpool without Jurgen Klopp in charge(Image: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Pep Guardiola admits he “misses Jurgen Klopp” as he prepares to celebrate his landmark 1000th game with the Manchester City boss reminiscing on the rivalry they shared across two managerial spells.
Guardiola’s toughest rival in England by far was Klopp’s Liverpool team, who took them to the final day in epic title clashes on two occasions and also took their Premier League crown back in 2020.
Prior to that the Catalan and the German had also done battle in Germany with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively. Klopp was able to down Guardiola on several occasions in his homeland before they continued to square off against each other in England.
Many regard their clashes as among the highest quality games we’ve seen in the Premier League era and their points tallies set a new benchmark for what was needed to be champions and Guardiola has been full of praise for Klopp, who he’s not faced for the past two season ahead of his meeting with Liverpool this Sunday.
He said: “If I were to choose one rival for this personal milestone, that I want to share with many people, they would be the best. I’ve been longer than ever in this country. Of course Barcelona, the impact on my life as a ballboy, football player, manager, and so on is obvious and Bayern was an incredible step as well.
READ MORE: Real Madrid told they were RIGHT to not sign Erling Haaland – ‘Doesn’t make sense’READ MORE: Man City boss Pep Guardiola ends interview after awkward moment – ‘You don’t know me’
“But Liverpool, especially with Jurgen, have been the biggest rivals in this country and it could not be better, to be honest. So destiny decided that and it’s nice to live it.”
In their last season playing against each other Guardiola and Klopp couldn’t be separated. Their teams drew 1-1 at the Etihad and then again at Anfield. Each manager enjoyed landmark wins throughout their rivalry, which was always full of respect with the two managers seen hugging at full-time in past encounters – and the City boss admits he was forced to go up a level to get the better of the Liverpool icon.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp enjoyed one of the Premier League’s great rivalries(Image: Getty Images)
“In terms of Jurgen’s side or Pep’s side, I think we respected each other,” he said. “I had the feeling that Jurgen gave me a lot and I miss him. He gave me a lot in sense of, to beat that guy, how much I have to think and work and do it, to make it better.”
Since taking charge of Barcelona B in 2007, he has overseen 999 matches and won 715 of them. That comes across spells with Barcelona, Bayern and now City. His trophy haul is exceptional but the Catalan insists his success is largely owed to the players he’s worked with.
“We have done incredible things in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here. It’s so difficult to reach it,” he said.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.