Klopp needs 115 fees Man City fact however hails ‘finest on the earth’ Guardiola
Jurgen Klopp has lauded Pep Guardiola as the world’s top manager – but admitted he’s set to leave Liverpool with lingering questions over Manchester City‘s alleged rule-breaking.
Klopp will bid farewell to his eight-and-a-half-year tenure and one of the most intense managerial rivalries in Premier League history when the Reds take on Wolves at an emotionally charged Anfield. During his stint in Merseyside, he has clinched the Champions League, Premier League, the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, the Club World Cup, European Super Cup and Community Shield.
Yet, Guardiola’s brilliance has thwarted him from securing even more victories. And despite holding immense respect for the Spanish manager as he vies for a record-breaking fourth consecutive title, Klopp confessed he still seeks clarity regarding the 115 Premier League Financial Fair Play charges that continue to overshadow City’s accomplishments. City deny any wrongdoing.
READ MORE: ‘Jurgen Klopp deserves a statue – but he isn’t leaving a dynasty like Sir Alex Ferguson’
“Everybody knows about the 115 charges, but I have no clue what that means,” Klopp admitted. “I only know the number. Regardless of what has transpired at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world – and that is really important,” reports the Mirror.
“If you put any other manager in that club, they don’t win the league four times in a row. That’s down to him and his boys. Does that mean they can do what they want? No. But I don’t know what they did – if they did anything – and I’m not here to say they have.”
Do you think Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world? Let us know in the comments section below.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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“We will see. Of course, I would like to know [if City are guilty] one day. Everyone wants to know. But I will be somewhere else. The quality of Pep makes the difference so I don’t worry about these things. We will see. It’s not my problem and I am fine with what we have and what we’ve achieved.”
Klopp takes pride in being the only manager who’s bagged more victories against Guardiola. Liverpool has twice been bested by City in their battle for the Premier League trophy over the past eight-year span, witnessing the title slip several times to Etihad at the season’s twilight.
In 2019, the Reds were unbeatable except for their single defeat in Eastern Manchester – a campaign where they racked up a whopping 97 points but fell short by just one point. Two years prior, a nail-biting finale saw City crawl back from a 2-0 deficit against Aston Villa with only 14 minutes left on the clock, rattling off three quickfire goals in five minutes to shatter Liverpool’s title aspirations once again.
(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool did manage to seize the Premier League title in 2020, marking the only occasion when the Reds disrupted City’s dominant six-season streak. A memorable Champions League win was also netted by the Reds against the Citizens two years before that.
Guardiola holds Klopp in high regard as the toughest managerial challenge he has ever encountered. He staunchly stands by his club amid allegations of financial misdeeds, and management at Etihad contend they have “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” proving they’re innocent.
Klopp, on the other hand, is content with his legacy at Anfield. He expressed: “It’s not important what I thought about the Liverpool fans before I arrived, it’s much more important what I think of them as I leave – and I couldn’t think more highly.”I couldn’t feel more love or appreciation.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It’s just not possible. Yes, I think we did quite well! There have been some life-changing moments, obviously, for all of us – especially for a lot of people who didn’t wear a shirt.
“I know myself and I am super-emotional. I was super-emotional this week. The players did an incredibly nice thing, speaking about me and other members of staff who are leaving. “”If I had started to say what I think, I would have been gone emotionally.
“I knew it. On Sunday I will obviously have to say the right things when I speak to 60,000 in the stadium and the other fans worldwide. I haven’t worked out how that will be, but seeing Anfield for the last time in that way…. I am fine with it. We had a great time together but this day will be difficult. That is the price you pay.”
