Pep Guardiola reveals his “biggest” Premier League rival

This weekend Pep Guardiola will take charge of the 1000th game of his illustrious coaching career. And it could hardly have come against a more perfect opponent for the Manchester City boss.

For much of his time in the Premier League, Guardiola’s City have tussled for the championship with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Fittingly, it is Liverpool who City face on Sunday and Guardiola paid tribute that the two teams’ rivalry ahead of the game.

“We have our rivalry with United, I think for the history. But what happened with the Jurgen period has been the biggest. Except maybe the first season, it was always [competing for] the Premier League with them and ourselves.”

“Always I have said that I enjoy this healthier rivalry that we had with both clubs. I always had a feeling of how much we respect each other... Jurgen gave me a lot, and I miss him.”

Also in Friday’s press conference, Guardiola was asked about his incredible managerial record. During stints with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, Guardiola has so far overseen 999 games, picking up 715 wins and just 128 defeats.

Guardiola said: “I’m not thinking how many but when you have the milestones and you read what you have done, the victories, the average, not just in Premier League but in the Champions League too, we have won incredible things in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here.”

“It is difficult to reach and if I start again I would not reach it, it is too much games. A few defeats, comparing 1,000 games and hopefully on Sunday I hope we can continue.”

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