Pep Guardiola revealed there is an open invitation for Erik ten Hag to visit Manchester City’s training ground after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United on Monday.
Guardiola faced Have Hag in seven Manchester derbies during the two years they shared in England. The City manager got the better of his United counterpart on five occasions, including one low light loss 6-3 when they first faced each other, but lost May FA Cup final.
This Wembley win preserved Ten Hag’s precarious position at Old Trafford. However, a disastrous start to the current campaign forced INEOS to do so late pull the trigger.
In front of the media a midweek Carabao Cup draw against Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola was asked if Ten Hag would be welcome at City’s training ground. “Anytime!” answered the Catalan technician.
“No, really. A lot of people come and we’re always open, but I think he knows exactly what we do, and I don’t think it’s going to happen, but of course, I know his agent a little bit, so the relationship is like that. there is no problem for me, for us.”
Ten Hag spent two seasons in charge of Bayern MunichGuardiola’s second team was in charge of the senior side, earning the nickname “Mini Pep” given the similarities shared between the two coaches. Guardiola is also a client of Sports Entertainment Group (SEG), an agency that was founded by Kees Vos, who happens to be Ten Hag’s agent.
“I’m so sorry for him,” Guardiola added when reflecting on Ten Hag’s departure. “I have an incredible relationship with him. He represented united at the highest level in terms of behavior.
“A (football) coach is one of the only professions where people expect you to be sacked. I don’t see it with architects, doctors or teachers. It’s just in our job. We have to accept it.
“I wish him the best – he’ll come back stronger. He knows our job depends on results. If the results aren’t good enough, you’ll be fired. I’m talking about myself: I’m not. an exception.”
