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Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, looks on during the FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, January 26, 2024. /CFP
Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, said he "will sleep better" after his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp leaves at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Having managed the Reds for over eight campaigns, Klopp announced on Friday that he will part ways with the club after this season because he is "running out of energy." Liverpool and City have had a long-time and close rivalry under the tenures of him and Guardiola.
"I will sleep better," Guardiola told reporters when asked about Klopp's departure. "The days before playing against Liverpool were almost a nightmare. Of course he will be missed. I was shocked, like everyone, to (see) the news. I felt a part of Man City would be lost."
Jurgen Klopp (L), manager of Liverpool, and Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, shake hands after the 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, November 25, 2023. /CFP
Guardiola became City's manager before the 2016-17 season, one year after Klopp took over Liverpool. The two clubs have won six of the eight Premier League titles since 2015. They are currently in the top two of the English top flight, with Liverpool five points above City.
"We cannot define our period here together without him and Liverpool; it is impossible. They have been our biggest rival and, personally, he has been my biggest rival from when he was at [Borussia] Dortmund and I was at Bayern [Munich]," Guardiola said. "I think the Premier League is going to miss his charisma, personality and the way his teams play. I wish him all the best."
Xabi Alonso, manager of Bayer Leverkusen, looks on during the Bundesliga game against RB Leipzig at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, January 20, 2024. /CFP
Klopp's decision also raised a question: Who will succeed him in Liverpool? One of the major candidates is Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso. He understandably didn't give a clear answer when asked the question by ESPN.
"Well, first of all, yeah, it [Klopp's decision to step down at the end of the season] was a surprise," Alonso said. "But as well, I have huge respect for Jurgen, huge admiration before coming to Liverpool, and during this year it has even been bigger and it has grown what he has achieved and the way he has achieved that."
Leverkusen are the only club still unbeaten in Europe's top five leagues this season. They are four points above Bayern Munich after 18 games. Alonso signed a contract extension until the end of the 2025-26 campaign with Leverkusen last summer.
Xabi Alonso, manager of Bayer Leverkusen, looks on during the Bundesliga game against RB Leipzig at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, January 20, 2024. /CFP
"And at the moment, I am really happy here. I am enjoying my work here," Alonso said. "I am feeling that each day it is a challenge. Each game is a challenge, and we are in an intense and a beautiful journey here in Leverkusen, and I am trying to give my best to help my players be ready for the next thing, and that's my goal. What will happen [in the future], I don't know."
Klopp made it clear that he won't help Liverpool pick his successor. "No, why should I?" He said. "The last thing they need is advice from the old man walking out who tells them: 'By the way, make sure you bring him in.' I will definitely not do that. You know, for most of the things, I have an opinion, and you will not believe that for most, I still didn't say everything, and I have no problem with that."