Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola sends message to Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent a heartwarming message to Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte ahead of the two side’s encounter in the Premier League on Sunday (5 January).
Conte is recovering from gall bladder surgery which means he won’t be on the touchline against Guardiola’s side this weekend. Assistant manager Cristian Stellini will be guiding the team instead.
Speaking on the impact of Conte’s absence, the Spanish tactician said at his pre-match press conference (h/t Manchester Evening News):
“Antonio is an active person in the touchline, guides really well the team. They know really well the patterns. They know exactly, we want him to get well soon and be back in his position.”
Guardiola and Conte have had some intense games in the past. The two have faced each other six times – Guardiola has been at City for all of them, while Conte managed three games each for Chelsea and Spurs.
They have both three matches, with their sides scoring 10 goals each. The clash this weekend won’t exactly be Conte vs Guardiola, but it will be City facing a side that is Conte from top to bottom in the way they play.
The former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager is an intense presence on the sideline. He shouts, screams, and never seems to take a minute to himself.
That kind of a personality can demotivate an opponent and make sure that Conte’s team stays on their toes. Stellini isn’t as active, but he is good enough to do the job.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- Tottenham Hotspur chief answers if Spurs will buy Arnaut Danjuma this summer
- Tottenham Hotspur dropped interest in Udinese star Gerard Deulofeu due to injury
- Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr played a role in Tottenham not signing Weston McKennie
Let’s hope we can ride out this period without Conte and the team gets into the groove to mount a proper charge for a top-four finish.
