Pep on Ten Hag: "I cannot say we're friends"

Leila Mermelstein 2 years ago 3.6k |

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Guardiola will face Ten Hag on Saturday. AFP

Man City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the press ahead of the FA Cup final against local rivals Manchester United. The Spaniard spoke about Erik ten Hag and what he's done at United in his first season as manager, amongst other things.

The Manchester derby to decide to winner of the FA Cup is just around the corner. Ahead of the game on Saturday, Man City manager, Pep Guardiola sat down with the press to discuss the match.

Although Erik ten Hag and his side now pose the greatest threat to City's treble bid, Guardiola was full of respect towards the Dutchman: "When you see the team (getting) better and better and better, that is not easy the first season in the Premier League ... so for me that identifies a really, really good manager".

He continued, "He's a guy who represents our profession as a manager in the best way possible, on the pitch and off the pitch and I cannot say that we are friends because we are not in touch much ... but I think Man United has an exceptional manager".

Regarding his own side, he urged his team to focus on the 90 minutes in front of them: "It's a football game and in a final it's how you will be in that moment. Over the 90 minutes. It’s not what you have done in the past. It’s about how good you are or how not good you are ... it's just one game".

To win he believes his side need to be "the best version" of themselves and think they "have to do what (they) have to do on the pitch to win"