The rivalry between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola has been one of the most controversial yet respectable rivalries of the last decade. Both are generational managers who are known as the best managers in the world, but there is a feeling that things will not be the same for Guardiola after Klopp leaves Liverpool this summer. There have been many changes in the business environment of the Premier League.
Arsene Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal ended in 2018 and Guardiola and Klopp have been locked in a bitter battle since the start of their respective spells. Klopp is currently England’s longest-serving manager at the top level, having been appointed on October 8, 2015, nine months before Guardiola arrived at the Etihad Stadium.
New Tottenham Hotspur boss Anjou Postecoglou is the league’s latest up-and-coming manager, having been asked about Liverpool’s future vacancy alongside Arsenal bosses Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi, and has been regularly mentioned as a potential future coach.
However, all three are completely new to this level of management. Klopp and Guardiola have built a team that has consistently broken the Premier League record and set standards both domestically and in Europe. In another era, Liverpool would have won more. Only Manchester City’s success prevented them from doing so, despite the result of 115 Financial Fair Play charges.
It’s a battle that will never be repeated after Klopp’s departure. According to Sporting News, Klopp has won 12 of his 29 matches, while Guardiola has won 11 and 6. As the level of competition rises, why will Guardiola stay at Manchester City? Of course, he could be aiming to surpass Sir Alex Ferguson’s record of 13 Premier League titles which he won at Manchester United, but he is still eight short of that record. This will delay his chances of success in Europe or internationally.
There is also great anxiety about the results of the 115 indictments. If City are found guilty, some predict Manchester City will be relegated from the Premier League.
