Pep alert to threat of facing new managers

Pep Guardiola says that facing new managers is always a challenge, but it has helped improve as a coach.

The City boss was complimentary of Southampton's Russell Martin after comping up against him for the first time in our 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium in our last Premier League clash.

Guardiola was asked about the prospect of facing new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, who will still be in charge of Sporting CP when we face them in the Champions League on Tuesday.

And he said that new coaches bring new ideas, including Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, who we face at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday at 15:00 (UK).

“It's not specific for the new manager from United,” he said in his prematch news conference. “Unai Emery is here, Arne [Slot] is here, many, many top managers.

“Every new manager has new ideas. Of course, I improved myself, I said Jurgen [Klopp], because they were the rivals over many years.

“How many times did we face Jurgen, or in that case, Mikel [Arteta], in the last four or five years, many times as much as you play with them.

“Always they are fighting with your team to be champions. With other clubs you play two times over a season, no more. The rest is much more.

“I'm completely honest. I learned a lot when I see the other managers.

“I learn a lot the problems they can create, I said: ‘Oh God, they have done that Bournemouth!’  We have to be careful, and it makes you better.”

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Amorim will remain in charge for Sporting CP for our trip to Lisbon for what will be his last Champions League game for the club.

Asked whether it will make facing the Portuguese champions any easier, Guardiola says he will expect to face a strong side but his focus is on the dangers of Bournemouth.

WATCH: Pep Guardiola Press Conference - Bournemouth (A) - Part 2 - Embargo

“I expect the best [Sporting]” he said. “The best advice we can have: when you play an opponent, always expect the best performance, that's for sure.

“I'm pretty sure they will do it. It's a Champion League game against Manchester City. But you have to understand that my concern now is not that.”

City were beaten for the first time this season in midweek when we lost 2-1 in the Carabao Cup on Tottenham.

The boss was delighted with the performance, particularly with the injury problems affecting the squad.

“They are extraordinary. I'm really pleased, what can I say?” he added.

“I'm really pleased for the way we played - the game against Spurs in the last moments, fighting until the end to equalise, fighting to go through and continue. I'm really pleased.”