As Manchester City and Sporting CP face each other in the Champions League on Tuesday night, it seems likely that the cameras will constantly pan towards both Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim.
Amorim is set to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United’s brand-new manager, a move that has led players, fans and pundits to have their say.
Bernardo Silva admitted he does not wish Ruben Amorim well merely due to the fact that he will manage Manchester City’s fierce rivals while simultaneously praising the work he has done in Portugal
Pep Guardiola named his potential injury list against Sporting — with there being doubts over the fitness of stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Savinho, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim hailed Guardiola by admitting that he is “the best coach in the world” ahead of the much-awaited encounter between City and Sporting.
Both clubs currently have seven points from three games in Europe’s elite competition but Manchester City (plus nine) are in third place while their Portuguese opponents (plus four) are placed eighth due to the former’s superior goal difference.
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Pep Guardiola says Ruben Amorim is “much better” behaved than him in the dugout
The contest provides both managers to gain a fresh perspective on each other’s tactical ideas after their previous meetings in the Round of 16 of the Champions League in 2022.
With the Sporting boss scheduled to take over his role as Manchester United’s head coach after the international break, Guardiola would be keen to test his Manchester City side against him before his move to the Premier League.
When quizzed about Ruben Amorim by TNT Sports, Pep Guardiola observed that his behavior in the dugout is superior to his.
“I don’t know him, from outside, he seems like a lovely guy. When I see him in the dugout, he behaves much better than me. Honestly, I’m really pleased he comes to England, to play United.”
Both managers are expected be up for the upcoming clash in Lisbon.
Next month, Manchester City will host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side at the Etihad Stadium — which could give Pep Guardiola the chance to already witnesses his tactical plans in the fresh at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
With Manchester City distancing themselves from Amorim with a recent report circulating they were never interested in appointing him due to how his playing style does not identify with the club’s identity, there is an added bit of spice to the clash.
Amorim admits Hugo Viana exit made Man City move cross his mind
Amorim commented on Hugo Viana’s move to Manchester City by admitting that heading to the Etihad Stadium is a possibility that did cross his mind.
The Portuguese tactician said: “It’s something that crosses your mind but I never had any doubts.”
“My decision has been made and that is the club [Manchester United] I want to work for. That’s where I want to continue my career as a coach.”
“It crossed my mind, but I decided on the club I wanted and I didn’t want anything else. I wanted Manchester United and that’s what I did.”
It was claimed last month that Ruben Amorim was willing to wait for the Manchester City job and wait to discover if Pep Guardiola was indeed set to depart the club at the end of his contract in 2025.
But now that Amorim will manage United later this month, it will be interesting to see how Guardiola sets up his side to defeat Sporting and take a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League last-16.
