Mauricio Pochettino has described Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as being “disrespectful” after he recently appeared to suggest that Tottenham were a one man team.
Guardiola had referred to Spurs as the “Harry Kane team” following City’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea before the international break.
Speaking ahead of his side’s game with Bournemouth at the weekend, Pochettino told reporters that the comment was particularly confusing given some of the accusations that used to be made about Guardiola’s Barcelona side and their reliance on Lionel Messi.
“It’s difficult to understand because Pep was part of the big success at Barcelona, when it was Messi at his best,” he began. “I never said it was the Messi team. I always said it was Barcelona and it was Pep Guardiola. I think everyone deserves to be recognised as being part of the success of the team.”
Pochettino explained that, while he personally didn’t take the remark badly, plenty of people connected with his club did.
“Many people took his words as very sad and disrespectful to the club. For many players that are here – it’s a strange situation. Personally, I didn’t take it in a bad way.
“It wasn’t disrespectful to me. I only express my feeling that, for a lot of people, it was unnecessary to say that.”
City are currently top of the Premier League on goal difference and welcome Stoke to the Etihad this weekend. Their first meeting with Spurs, who were the first side to beat them last season, comes in December.
