The Manchester City boss have been a big admirer of Eddie Howe and his side in recent years
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola at Newcastle United's St James' Park
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola at Newcastle United's St James' Park
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It says everything about the man that Pep Guardiola has won everything there is to win, and yet is still generally liked and respected throughout football.
Whereas the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho were all public enemy No 1 at various times of their illustrious careers, largely due to their desire to win at all costs, Pep has somehow managed to remain a popular figure for many.
It helps that he's always so keen to talk positively about Newcastle United and Eddie Howe, of course. Perhaps it's his Sir Bobby Robson links - the former United boss was a huge influence on Guardiola after their time at Barcelona together - but he's usually quick with a compliment about the Magpies.
Not that it ever gets in the way of his side getting the better of those in black-and-white, and while he may be a huge admirer of Howe, the fact remains that the United head coach has never beaten him in the league.
However, ahead of Saturday's Premier League showdown at St James' Park, here's a selection of just some of the praise Pep has thrown Newcastle's way in recent years.
We will be trembling
Speaking ahead of the 2024-25 season, Pep predicted a stronger Newcastle with Eddie Howe's side not involved in European competition. He wasn't wrong.
"Newcastle United will be back because it’s one game a week.They don’t have a European competition this season.
“The way they play, the physicality they play with, just one game a week, we will be trembling. We’ll be trembling when we play against them.”
Impossible to contain
Following last season's 1-1 draw at St James' Park, Guardiola was again open in his praise for Newcastle and Howe.
“I said to him (Howe) I admire him and the way he approaches the game. Newcastle press high and are so hard to play against. They have a lot of legs. When you are a manager you are always polite to an opponent who is trying to do the right things.
"It’s always difficult to play here because of their physicality. Newcastle are impossible to contain over a whole 90 minutes. At 1-0 we made some bad decisions and did not make it 2-0. We would like to have won but we take the point.”
Here to stay
In 2023, Guardiola felt Newcastle had made the steps to ensure their success under Howe would be lasting, and not a one-season wonder.
“The big teams are defined by how great the challenge is, and this is the one," he said before facing Newcastle in August 2023. "Even if it is the second game of the season. How quick and strong and physical [Newcastle] are will be a real tough test. But this is the challenge. We will go for it.
“They were a threat last season. A team that qualifies for the Champions League last season and is still there is a really good team.
“And I think as a team, from outside, they make smart decisions. [Anthony] Gordon, Harvey Barnes, now Lewis Hall. They buy what they need in that moment and they know exactly what they have to do.
“Eddie Howe has done an incredible job and it’s a pleasure to watch them. They’ve arrived to stay.”
Best team in the league
Earlier in 2023, as United were on route to qualifying for the Champions League, Pep hailed Howe's men as the 'best team in the league' for many factors.
“Incredible. It happened last season and this season, they are taking a step forward, so it looks like they have come to stay. What I have seen lately is what they have done all season.
“It is one of the toughest opponents we have until the end of the season for the quality, they do everything brilliant. The threats, transitions, set pieces, best team in the league, many, many things that is why they are there for a long, long time this season.”
Top class job
Howe had already made an impression with Newcastle in 2022, as Guardiola acknowledged after a dramatic 3-3 draw at St James' Park.
“He’s has done a top-class job,” said Guardiola. “You can see his team is growing. Newcastle have everything; they have pace, they have quality.
“They made it very physical, it’s a very difficult place to come. We started very well but Newcastle were so aggressive, we didn’t have control. Newcastle are becoming one of the toughest opponents but we created a lot of chances and, in the end, we showed who we are.”
Exceptional midfielder
In 2024, Pep had particular praise for United's Bruno Guimaraes, highlighting his contribution to the side.
"He is an exceptional holding midfielder. He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball. At set pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up.
"I’m sure he’s part of the project for the next years. Definitely."