Pep Guardiola played down his bitter feud with Jose Mourinho on Friday and insisted he will accept a post-match drink from his opposite number — if he is offered one.
Guardiola’s City visit Mourinho’s United on Saturday in the first Manchester derby since the high-profile pair took charge of their respective clubs in the close season.
The pre-match focus, with both Manchester teams having won their first three Premier League games of the season, has firmly been on the duo and the rivalry that has developed between them since they became two of the most successful managers in the modern game.
Guardiola, however, said he had no problem with Mourinho, with whom he has already spoken since they moved to England, and he will be happy to join him for a traditional post-match drink.
“I will accept if he invites me,” said Guardiola at a news conference. “I have said many times, I have a lot of respect for him.
“I always try to learn from all my colleagues and I learn from him as well. The rivalry is more in the media.
“He was my coach, my assistant coach with Sir Bobby Robson (when Guardiola was a Barcelona player).
“The last meeting in Madrid-Barcelona was not easy but we met each other two or three weeks ago in the Premier League managers’ (meeting) and we spoke fluently with Ronald Koeman (Everton), with Tony Pulis (West Bromwich Albion) so it was okay.”
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