PEP GUARDIOLA paid tribute to his greatest rival Jurgen Klopp – and claimed he will sleep better next season once the German has stepped down at Liverpool.
Klopp shocked the football world on Friday by announcing he will quit the Reds at the end of the campaign after nine trophy-laden years.
For much of that time he has gone head to head with Guardiola’s Manchester City side in the greatest Premier League battle of the modern era.
“Of course I will miss him. It was a shock, like it was for everyone.
“We will lose something .We cannot define our period here without him, without Liverpool. It’s impossible.
“He has been the best rival I have ever had in my life.
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“In Dortmund when I was in Bayern, then here. I think the Premier League are going to miss him, the charisma, the personality and especially the way his teams play.
“Of course I wish him all the best.
“He will not admit it, but he will be back, I know it. Maybe in ten years time, I don’t know.
“He said carefully he needs to charge his energy. With his personality, with his energy, he will be back, national team, another team, I don’t know.
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“I think football needs personalities and managers like him.”
But Guardiola hinted he would not be following Klopp’s lead and stepping down to re-energise.
The former Barcelona chief said: “I’m fine. I still have one more year, I want to do it and maybe extend. So I’m fine.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
