Pep Guardiola has admitted that Jurgen Klopp is his biggest rival for all his career and it has been an honor battling against the Liverpool manager.
Liverpool and Manchester City have developed a ferocious rivalry over the years, with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola producing thrilling matches consistently, virtually every time they go head-to-head.
Pep Guardiola on his rivalry with Jurgen Klopp
Speaking with TNT Sports, Guardiola lauded Klopp, saying: “He’s been my biggest rival for all my career and it’s an honor.”
As part of his Moments That Made Me show, Pep Guardiola shared the importance of his tactical duals with the German tactician.
Jurgen Klopp announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season after nine years as a manager because he is “running out of energy”.
HOW PEP GUARDIOLA AND JURGEN KLOPP’S MANAGERIAL BATTLE BEGAN
The pair began their managerial battles at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively and had an incredible duel each time they faced off against each other, they also shared memorable victories in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.
When Guardiola and Klopp joined the Premier League in 2015 and 2016, respectively, that power tussle migrated to England.
The renowned managers are now leading two Premier League giants, in Manchester City and Liverpool and they have been facing each other regularly in the past nine years.
However, 2023/24 is likely to be the last season in a while in which Guardiola and Klopp contest the top honors in England and Europe.
Klopp announced on January 26 that he will be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
PEP GUARDIOLA AND JURGEN KLOPP: HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Overall, the two managers have squared off 29 times against each other across competitions.
Klopp has won 12 times and Guardiola has emerged victorious on 11 occasions. Six games have resulted in a draw. In the Premier League, the two managers have squared off 16 times.
Their most recent meeting against each other was on March 10, 2024, when Liverpool recovered from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Manchester City in the Premier League at Anfield.
All-time Klopp vs. Guardiola meetings: 30
Guardiola wins: 11
Klopp wins: 12
Draws: 7
HOW MANY TROPHIES HAVE THEY WON?
The two managers have only met once – three times if you count season-opening showcases – in a final with silverware directly on the line.
But the two tacticians have had plenty of meetings that eliminated one or the other from contention for trophies.
Pep Guardiola has the edge when it comes to his trophy haul, although many of them came from his days at Barcelona before the two had ever met.
Klopp edged Pep Guardiola in cup competitions during their time in the German Bundesliga, while the Spanish manager held the Bundesliga league title on lockdown most of that time.
In England, it has largely been the same, as Klopp and Pep have one European success apiece – the UEFA Champions League, while Pep Guardiola has succeeded in league matches and additionally in the Carabao Cup.
ONE LAST DANCE
However, it is unknown if there will be one final twist to the tale as Jurgen Klopp Liverpool look to win this season’s Premier League trophy.
The Reds have been magnificent this season, but they played out a disappointing 2-2 draw last weekend against Manchester United despite dominating the Red Devils for most spells in the game.
They are still within a point of league leaders Arsenal as we head to the business end of the Premier League season.
Meanwhile, fans and pundits would have enjoyed the nearly a decade of rivalry between Klopp and Pep Guardiola and they will be hoping to see more in years to come.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have served the footballing world with some thrilling encounters and magnificent showdowns.
Anyway, with Klopp stepping down at the end of the season, it could presumably make life easy for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
