Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s dislike of Pep Guardiola is well known and publicised, but, the Manchester City manager has now accused Ibrahimovic of stabbing him in the back and dramatising details about their relationship during their time at Barcelona.
The Manchester United striker branded Guardiola as ‘spineless’ and as a ‘coward’ in his autobiography. However, Guardiola has now hit back at Zlatan before the Manchester derby saying that he was always clear on what he wanted with the Swedish striker.
“He explained in his book about what he believes,” said Guardiola. “But always I was clear, I spoke with him always face-to-face - always.
“I never used the media to explain what I wanted from Zlatan on the pitch, never.
“The people can say many, many things, but I was so clear and direct to him.”
When Ibrahimovic was asked about his current views on Guardiola and Mourinho, he was dismissive about the Spaniard while he was effusive in his praise for Mourinho. Speaking about Pep, Zlatan said:
“ A lot of things have happened from that time until now, so how he works today I don’t know – and I couldn’t care less because he’s not my coach.”
He also praised Jose Mourinho’s man-management skills, saying that he always knew what the ‘special one’ wanted from him:
“I know what he wants, his demands and what he goes for,” said Ibrahimovic. “He’s a winner. He won and I won before together when we were young and we will win when we are a little bit older.
“Wherever he went he won. This coach makes in a short time a big success and he’s direct with everyone.
“He’s not like a coach who will go behind your back. If you’re not good enough, he will tell you that you’re not good enough. I prefer it like that than if someone does not talk to you, because you don’t hear anything.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had a stellar start to his Manchester United career scoring 4 goals in 4 appearances for the Red Devils. With the history between Zlatan, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, the maverick Swedish striker will be itching to get one over his former boss and score in the derby.
Manchester United might be slight favourites to win the derby due to Sergio Aguero’s absence, but one can never discount a side managed by Pep Guardiola and the battle of tactics between Jose and Pep will definitely be worth keeping an eye on.
