Pep Guardiola deserves credit for avoiding the easy path by taking on a significant challenge at Manchester City, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested.
Both managers are trailing Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title, although there is arguably more pressure on Guardiola as City prepare to visit Anfield for an enticing fixture on Saturday.
The Catalan is facing perhaps the most significant test of his highly-successful managerial career as he attempts to drag his side back within sight of the leaders.
He arrived in the Premier League last summer with a record of 21 trophies in seven years of management, first with Barcelona and then with Bayern Munich.
Yet he suffered the longest winless run of his managerial career during the autumn, going six matches without a victory, and has acknowledged that he needs time to adjust his methods to English football.
Klopp, whose team are second going into the weekend, thinks that Guardiola deserves great credit for taking on such a challenge, when he could have selected much easier jobs.
The Liverpool manager is also of the view that, whatever City’s manager achieves in England, his influence on the world game has already secured him a lasting legacy.
Klopp said: “He came here with open eyes. He could have had easier jobs in easier leagues, that is for sure.
“He could have gone everywhere. He wanted to come here. He was probably aware 100 per cent of the big challenge.
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