Pep Guardiola humbly replied to Antonio Conte’s praise and suggested that ‘world football copied’ the Italian coach.
The Tottenham coach suggested that Guardiola was ‘the best coach in the world’ ahead of Spurs’ Premier League clash against Manchester City tomorrow evening. The Sky Blues currently sit top of the league table, nine points clear of second place Liverpool.
Speaking in a press conference, Guardiola commented on Conte’s praise and what he thinks of the Italian coach.
“Thank you so much, I am not. I appreciate it, thank you so much but I am not.
“I learn a lot watching his teams, the movement. If the club rely on him 100% and his ideas, he knows. All the successf managers is because they are invested behind. He showed in Juventus and changed many things since he arrived, at Milan, at Chelsea.
“If they club rely on him 100% they will have success. In my first season it was tough for results. Every manager needs time and investment to be there for many time in this country, it’s more difficult than any other place in the world.
“He can talk about it. We know how difficult this country is. He’s a manager even the national team how they play is fantastic. I have incredible respect because when I watch his teams I learn something new.”
He then touched on his memories of facing Conte in the past.
“He arrived and his impact was clear, many teams started to play five at the back, before always four. He arrived and world football copy and pasted it. The manager of the team who won, everyone wants to play in that way.
“He changed it for many teams. He won the league fantastically well, he passed to play his system, 5-4-1 or 5-3-2, after in the second season I’m not involved but he made his stamp in this league.”
Conte is currently experiencing a tough moment at Tottenham following his flying start in the Autumn. The Lillywhites have lost their last three consecutive league matches and a disappointing January transfer window has added to the tension in North London.
The Italian coach will be hoping for some significant summer investments in order to challenge for a top four finish next season. They currently sit seven points behind Manchester United, although they have three games in hand.
Guardiola: "Ringrazio Conte, ma non sono il migliore. Lui ha fatto grandi cose, il calcio mondiale lo ha copiato" https://t.co/GiOsreEIQt
— FcInterNews.it (@FcInterNewsit) February 18, 2022