Reports have suggested that Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, who often embrace and show respect for each other, have ‘cold respect’ between the pair.
The Spaniard and the German are usually seen embracing on the sidelines before and after their games. Moreover, the duo have also been complimentary of each other in press conferences.
However, The Athletic claims that the two world-class managers have ‘cold respect’ for one another.
Pep and Klopp praise each other as a cover for their coldness
The rival managers are said to have a cold relationship with each other. The report believes that Klopp and Pep’s frequent praise of each other is an act of cover-up for their coldness.
“Some sources describe their relationship as one of cold respect, their warm words for each other’s achievements acting as a veneer.”
There is no secret that Klopp and his side have been a major headache for ‘the perfectionist’, Pep Guardiola.
The reverse could also be said to be true as the Reds would have been champions twice if not for City.
Moreover, they claim that Pep could surely never be close friends with someone who has given him such a headache in the Prem. Klopp is the only active manager to clinch a PL title since Pep’s arrival in 2016.
Meanwhile, the German also got the better of the Spaniard in the Champions League back in the 2017/18 quarter-finals.
Hence, the reports claim that Guardiola doesn’t necessarily consider Klopp his friend but does have respect for him.
The Catalan would have surely enjoyed a bit more at Manchester City without the Liverpool boss’s interference.
In fact, Pep has faced Klopp more often than he has any other manager. The pair have clashed on 28 occasions and Pep has won 11 times. He has lost 12 and drawn five times.
Interestingly, Klopp is the only manager who Pep has suffered more defeats against than any others. That shows just how disruptive Klopp has been to Guardiola’s tactics over the years.
Hence, the Manchester City boss will surely be itching to level things up at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
