Pep Guardiola has joked that he will be able to sleep better when Manchester City take on Liverpool next season once Jurgen Klopp is no longer in the opposing dugout.
Speaking after his team had progressed to the FA Cup fourth round by beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0, the City manager admitted he was shocked by the announcement on Friday that Klopp will leave Anfield at the end of the season.
"I am a little bit [stunned]," Guardiola said. "He’s an absolutely incredible manager and I know I don’t know him closely but he’s an incredible person as well.
"I had a feeling that he’s leaving part of us too at Man City as Liverpool have been our biggest rival in his years. We cannot define our period here without him and Liverpool, it is impossible.
"He will be missed, personally I will miss.
"I am pleased because without him I will sleep a little bit better the night before we play against Liverpool! The days before playing Liverpool were almost a nightmare. But I wish him all the best. He doesn’t admit it but he will be back.
"All the managers will [feel tired] when you’ve done many years, I feel it completely. I felt it at Barcelona so I understand it completely."
Klopp's "legacy is massive"
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino also gave a touching tribute to Klopp, recalling the moment when the German was the first person to message him after the Argentinian left Tottenham Hotspur in November 2019.
"Today, I was working and received the news," Pochettino said. "It is really sad. We already missed him. When I was sacked from Tottenham, the first message I received was from him.
"The job he has done with Liverpool is amazing. He wishes to rest and go away for a little bit. I think he deserves but it is sad for people who love football. He is a great character and Liverpool and English football will miss him.
"When he arrived, his first game was against us [Spurs] at White Hart Lane. We drew 0-0. His legacy is massive. I congratulate him and his coaching staff. He deserves the praise he will receive from now until the end of the season.”
TV Info - Broadcasters
Klopp's next match will be against Pochettino when Liverpool face Chelsea at Anfield in the Premier League on Wednesday 31 January, before both sides face each other again at Wembley Stadium in the EFL Cup final on Sunday 25 February.