Pep Guardiola decides on Klopp before Man City game following Liverpool exit
Pep Guardiola decided not to talk about Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool announcement before Manchester City's FA Cup game with Tottenham Hotspur.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, made the decision not to comment on Jurgen Klopp's announcement about leaving Liverpool before his team's FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur. It was revealed that Guardiola would address the departure of his managerial rival after their Fourth Round encounter. Guardiola's team was continuing their defense of the domestic cup after defeating Championship side Huddersfield Town in the third round.
Ange Postecoglu's team faced City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Liverpool's announcement dominated the headlines. On Friday, Klopp confirmed that he would be stepping down from the Anfield post after nine years at the end of the season.
ITV presenter Mark Pougatch announced that Guardiola would discuss his North West rival after their FA Cup encounter. Guardiola and the Reds boss have been competing to reach the top of English football. Klopp's Spanish counterpart has caused disappointment in the Premier League battle, but the Liverpool manager surpassed the former Barcelona manager to end their 30-year wait to pick up the title.
Despite the fierce battles that their respective clubs have had in the English top-flight, there is a mutual respect between the pair. Guardiola has previously named Klopp as his toughest rival, stating in October: "[The first reason why Klopp has been my toughest rival is because] we've faced each other 1,000 million times. Second, because he's beaten me a lot and that [has] always been a challenge, to face him again and again and again. So, we respect each other - at least, from my point of view, I respect him a lot. Of course, we have arguments and I don't like to be beaten by him, but he's been my biggest rival [because of the] amount of times we [have faced each other] and the pleasure when you beat him - because you know how difficult it is."
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