Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has received a touching message from the former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before taking charge of his 1000th match this weekend
Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to Pep Guardiola ahead of his 1000th game as a manager
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Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola ahead of the Catalan coach managing his 1000th match. The ex-Liverpool chief welcomed his former adversary to a 'legendary club' and labelled him an inspiration.
Since taking charge of Barcelona B in 2007, Guardiola has overseen 999 matches and won an impressive 715 of them. Across spells with Barcelona, Bayern and City, the 54-year-old has won every major trophy and most more than once.
Delivering the message to Guardiola via video recording, Klopp provided a touching verdict. "Pep, my friend, welcome to the 1000 club," he said.
"I can't believe you look that young and you already reached this absolutely incredible landmark. Probably, I don't have to say I reached this 81 games ago. Probably the only time I arrived before you. It's all good.
"I've said it a million times, it was a pleasure and it was an honour to face you during our careers. Most difficult games but the games I enjoyed the most because you were and you are an inspiration to all of us. The way you understand football is pretty much second to none, the desire you show every day is absolutely outstanding.
"So, yeah, another legendardy club you are a member of now. Onto the next 1000. All of the best, speak soon and have a wonderful celebration. Maybe you'll celebrate it with a glass of red wine.
Speaking ahead of taking charge of match number 1000, Guardiola had acknowledged the role Klopp played in his career. The City boss is pleased to rack up the landmark against Liverpool and suggested it could only be more fitting if Klopp had been in the dugout.
Jurgen Klopp the head coach / manager of Liverpool and Pep Guardiola the head coach / manager of Manchester City reacts at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Manchester, England.
Klopp and Guardiola enjoyed an iconic rivalry during the German's time at Liverpool
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He said: "If I were to choose one rival for this personal milestone, that I want to share with many people, they would be the best. I've been longer than ever in this country. Of course Barcelona, the impact on my life as a ballboy, football player, manager, and so on is obvious and Bayern was an incredible step as well.
"But Liverpool, especially with Jurgen, have been the biggest rivals in this country and it could not be better, to be honest. So destiny decided that and it's nice to live it."
"In terms of Jurgen's side or Pep's side, I think we respected each other," Guardiola added. "I had the feeling that Jurgen gave me a lot and I miss him. He gave me a lot in sense of, to beat that guy, how much I have to think and work and do it, to make it better."
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