Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he is looking forward to facing Pep Guardiola in the next two years, calling the Spaniard “the best manager in the league”.
Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract to stay on as Manchester City manager on Thursday, ending speculation that the 2024/25 campaign could be his last at the Etihad Stadium.
City have won six Premier League titles under Guardiola, including a record four in a row, and will have completed 11 years of service when his new contract expires.
Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager in the summer – the German enjoyed a hugely successful eight-and-a-half year spell at Anfield – and has enjoyed a great start to his tenure. The Dutch side sit top of the Premier League table after winning nine of their opening 11 games, establishing a five-point lead over city in the process
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, before the match LiverpoolDuring Sunday’s trip to Southampton, Slot admitted he is pleased Guardiola is staying in the Premier League, insisting it is good the league has the best players and managers despite the competition it brings.
He also called Guardiola one of the best coaches in history and the best Premier League currently has to offer.
“This is good news for City first of all, and also good news for the league because I think everyone wants to have the best possible coaches and the best players here,” Slot said.
“He’s definitely one of the best managers in the league, if not the best if you look at what he’s done, four times champion in a row, it’s fair to say he’s maybe the best manager in the league.
“It’s a good thing but on the other hand City have so many quality players that if he decides to leave the club I would never expect them to be bottom of the league next season.
“It’s good for the City fans and interesting for us to keep coming up against one of the best managers football has ever had.”
Slot also spoke about Liverpool’s tremendous start to the season, insisting that while things are going well now, it’s important to temper expectations in favor of focusing on the games ahead.
“It would be a little weird if I told you I don’t like being in the position we’re in right now, but we also understand that we only have 11 games now, so there’s a lot of games to play,” Slot said. explained
“We all know that the teams we face in this league are capable of the same run of games we’ve had. If we want to stay where we are, we have to keep putting in the results, which won’t be easy, from Sunday onwards .
“It won’t be easy even if everyone feels it is (because they are) last in the league. (Southampton) don’t play like that at all and made it difficult for the teams in the top three or four. His style of play is very interesting, it’s a joy to watch his matches.”
