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Pochettino admires ‘the best’ Guardiola ahead of CL semi-final showdown

Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino
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The Argentine coach is relishing the challenge against the Spanish tactician as the two prepare to renew their rivalry on Wednesday.

Mauricio Pochettino has branded Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the world ahead of their upcoming clash in the Champions League.

Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain will take on Guardiola’s Manchester City in the first leg of the semi-final of the Champions League.

It will not be the first time, however, that the pair face each other. The PSG boss and the Man City manager know each other from their time together in Spain, with the former in charge of Espanyol and the latter of FC Barcelona. They have also clashed numerous times in the Premier League during Pochettino’s reign at Tottenham.

The Argentine guided Tottenham to Champions League finals in 2019, overcoming the Spaniard’s side in the quarter-finals.

“For me, he is the best,” Pochettino told about Guardiola, as Sky Sports reports.

“I admire him and think he is doing a fantastic job. He is an amazing coach, always thinking of different strategies and game-plans. I love to challenge him and the teams he prepared.

“Not only the best manager. The club is important, too. A club that trusts you to build a team and provides you with all the tools.”

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