Pep guardiola, the manager of manchester city, has expressed his opinion on what life will be like for him and the premier league after jurgen klopp’s departure from the club.
Last month, the legendary german coach announced that he would be putting an end to his illustrious career with the anfield club at the end of this season, leaving liverpool with a difficult hunt for a dependable replacement.
Jurgen klopp, the former borussia dortmund coach, has won all of liverpool’s squads and in turn developed a tense relationship with manchester city coach pep guardiola during his time with the club.
On several occasions, the two have met for the premier league title, and they seem to be on track to reach the hotly fought business end of the season, as well as rivalry between mikel arteta and his ambitious arsenal squad.
However, it remains to be seen how life might look for liverpool and in some cases manchester city after klopp’s departure at the end of the season, as the search for his replacement continues.
Pep guardiola made astonishing prediction to the media ahead of manchester city’s fa cup fifth round match against luton town on tuesday night about how the english top flight would look without his legendary liverpool counterpart.
Guardiola responded with a smirk when asked if life for him and manchester city could be easier without jurgen klopp’s help. “of course, liverpool will sign – i’m pretty sure – a good manager, but they’ll lose an exceptional manager.”
“it’s obvious how the club and the team are affected by liverpool’s culture and staff; it’s there.” But i see arsenal, and i see what will happen with (manchester) united, and tottenham will be stronger, aston villa, look what happened in newcastle, and next season will be better because they will learn about what happened and what it means to play every three days during the 11-month cycle,” guardiola said.
“They weren’t used to it in the past; it’s the first time, and you have to gain this knowledge and decision making. It will certainly not be (easier) to do so. Every season is tough, and i think the next season will be even tougher.”.
At present, brighton’s roberto de zerbi, sporting’s ruben amorim, and bayer leverkusen’s xabi alonso have all been cited as potential candidates by anfield, but liverpool is certainly no closer to finalizing plans after the end of this season.
Pep guardiola’s own contract will expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, and although some supporters may expect it to be settled soon, there is a sense of calm within the etihad stadium offices about their manager’s future.
Guardiola’s most recent contract extension was completed in a short period during the treble-winning campaign of 2022/23, with the city manager visiting abu dhabi to thrash out terms with the club’s hierarchy, including chairman khaldoon al mubarak.
