Man City's Guardiola calls Pochettino one of world's best managers

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola praised the Argentine coach of Tottenham Hotspur football club Mauricio Pochettino calling the later as one of the best managers in the world.

City and Tottenham will play this Sunday at London's White Hart Lane stadium in the seventh round of the English Premier League (EPL), reports Efe.

Guardiola and Pochettino have a shared history in the Catalan derby when the former was coach of Barcelona and the latter led Spain.

"We played against Pochettino as players and then as coaches. I think he's one of the best managers in the world - I enjoy watching Tottenham," Pep said on Friday at the sports city of the Citizens.

"He's doing an amazing job in London at Spurs. The way they play I like a lot - they're aggressive and have a lot of quality," said the Catalan.

"The basis of the team is the national team with (Dele) Alli, (Kyle) Walker, (Harry) Kane - they have a lot of quality. Last season they were there until the last couple of games for the championship," he continued.

"This year they're playing at a high level - they're in second position so it will be a tough game and I'm looking forward to going to White Hart Lane for the first time in my life. We will try and do our job," Guardiola added.

For Sunday's game, the Spanish coach, who got full marks with City in the EPL this season so far, will be without four players: Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph, who are injured, as well as the sanctioned Nolito.

--IANS

tri/vm