Pep Guardiola vs. Jose Mourinho is a debate that is never really going to end.
The feud might have some closure this season if either one of the Manchester clubs lifts the Premier League trophy, but even that won’t definitively decide who’s the better manager.
On paper this season, Guardiola is edging it, not only because of City’s 2-1 victory over United in the Manchester derby. The former Barca boss has won every game so far, and started the Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, albeit a day later than it was supposed to be played.
Former Manchester United midfielder turned pundit Roy Keane was so impressed by the Citizens’ performance, in which Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick, that he led the ringing endorsements of Guardiola.
“Two coaches in Manchester. Mourinho reckons he’s the Special One, to me this guy [Guardiola] is,” he told ITV, as quoted by Goal.com.
“He said he’s a challenging coach – it doesn’t look like he messes about,” he added.
“I wouldn’t like to mess with him.”
Both Guardiola and Mourinho have made some tough decisions since taking charge of their respective new clubs, but in Europe, it’s only the Catalan who really has the chance to impress.
City are gunning for the Champions League, and are realistically the only English side with a decent chance of winning the competition.
Mourinho, on the other hand, must lead United through a Europa League campaign, but it won’t be nearly as impressive if they win it.
The Premier League is undoubtedly the main theatre of war for the two gladiators, but as it stands, Guardiola’s winning that battle too.
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