Pep Guardiola & Erik ten Hag’s ‘incredible’ relationship - plus when Man Utd & Man City bosses worked together

Ahead of their first meeting in the Manchester derby, we explain how the Manchester United & Manchester City managers know each other so well.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag will face each other for the first time as managers on Sunday when Manchester City host Manchester United.

Yet despite never previously occupying opposition dugouts, the pair are extremely well acquainted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In fact, Guardiola once described their relationship as ‘incredibly good’ and there will certainly be no animosity from the sidelines during Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Ahead of the game, we look at why the pair get on so well, and what they’ve previously said about each other.

How do Guardiola & Ten Hag know each other?

The United and City bosses both worked at Bayern Munich at the same time.

Guardiola won three league titles in Germany. Credit: Getty.Guardiola won three league titles in Germany. Credit: Getty.
Guardiola won three league titles in Germany. Credit: Getty.

Guardiola moved to Bavaria after he had guided Barcelona to two Champions League triumphs, and subsequently won the Bundesliga title in every season he spent at Bayern.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ten Hag’s journey to Munich was less celebrated, and he only managed for a single season before joining the club.

The Dutchman took charge of Bayern’s second team between 2013 and 2015, and worked directly under Guardiola during that period.

What Guardiola said about Ten Hag

Asked last year about the now United manager, Guardiola said he was hugely impressed by Ten Hag’s work at Ajax.

“When he was at Bayern at the second team, we spoke quite regularly,” Guardiola said in April.

Ten Hag spent two years at Bayern. Credit: Getty.Ten Hag spent two years at Bayern. Credit: Getty.
Ten Hag spent two years at Bayern. Credit: Getty.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He is an incredible person. For the quality he has, just take a look at Ajax in the last years. They are a joy to watch in many things. They got to the semi-finals [of the Champions League] one year and on little details didn’t make the final. The game they played against Benfica [in the Champions League last season] was exceptional, but football works like this.

“To define a manager you just have to take a look at his teams for a long time and this is a team where their manager makes them play. There’s no doubt about that. But the relationship we had was incredibly good.”

At the time, Guardiola said Ten Hag could even make for a suitable replacement for when he leaves City, before advising United to appoint his former managerial protege.

“Nobody knows. If I knew for 100% sure I would go to Man United and tell them ‘guys, you have to take him’. But nobody knows.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When Ten Hag was confirmed as the new Red Devils boss, Guardiola said: “Congratulations to Erik and (I) wish him all the best. A top-class manager; his teams are a joy to watch.”

What Ten Hag said about Guardiola

The United manager gave similarly complimentary words when asked about Guardiola.

“I learned a lot from Guardiola,” he said in 2019. “His philosophy is sensational, what he did in Barcelona, Bayern and now with Manchester City, that attacking and attractive style sees him win a lot. It’s this structure that I’ve tried to implement with Ajax.”

In a separate interview with Voetbal International, Ten Hag said: “Nobody will ever forget ­Guardiola. He has won so many trophies for a start – but it is mainly about how his teams play.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Guardiola only wants to win games with beautiful football, just like his teacher Johan Cruyff. And what makes him stand out is that he is proving his quality as a top coach in Spain, Germany and now England. He has adapted to the culture in every country."

Related topics: