Eddie Howe believes a key Manchester City figure is arguably the best in the entire history of football.
Manchester City take on Newcastle United for the fourth time this season on Saturday as they meet in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The Blues won both Premier League encounters but only narrowly with a single goal.
City had to fight from 2-1 down and rely on a last-gasp Oscar Bobb winner to get the three points when the teams last met in January.
Newcastle have proven to be tricky opposition for City and the Magpies did knock them out of the Carabao Cup when they faced off in September.
Manager Eddie Howe has been speaking ahead of the match and moved to praise his opposite number Pep Guardiola.
Eddie Howe on Pep Guardiola
In his pre-match press conference, Howe said: “I’ve watched all their recent games which is always an interesting thing.
“They’re an incredible football team. For me, they’ve got the best manager there has, arguably, ever been.
“But look at our games against them this year and how close they’ve been.
“We haven’t been too far away [in recent matches vs City] and in those games we didn’t get the luck we needed.”
Can City reach the FA Cup semi-finals?
Many would argue there has been better managers in the game than Guardiola but they would struggle to keep that mindset if City won the treble again.
The Blues boss has always maintained it is impossible but his side can take one step closer to doing so if they can get past Newcastle.
A win would see City into the FA Cup semi-finals and book yet another trip to Wembley.
City are still firmly in the Premier League title race, just a point behind leaders Arsenal and Liverpool.
They will also discover their quarter-final and potential semi-final opponents in the Champions League on Friday and remain favourites to win the trophy again.
Should City achieve the unprecedented, Guardiola will undoubtedly be the best manager of all time. If he isn’t already.
