Jurgen Klopp explains why Pep Guardiola is “a genius” and supports Manchester City revival | OneFootball

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has explained why he believes Pep Guardiola is “a genius”, and he is not in a new interview this week.

Klopp’s comments come during a period in which City are entering a fresh chapter under Guardiola, following a turbulent 2024/25 season that saw the Catalan recently admit he could have been sacked without the backing of senior Etihad Stadium decision-makers.

Now, with sweeping changes across the squad, backroom staff, and the appointment of Bernardo Silva as the new club captain, Guardiola’s next era at Manchester City is a key talking point across European football.

Klopp, who spent years in a fierce rivalry with Guardiola at the top of English football, has consistently spoken about his admiration for the Manchester City boss. The pair often pushed each other to new heights in the Premier League, defining an era of football in England with relentless title races, tactical innovation, and a staggering rivalry.

Manchester City themselves are in the midst of what Guardiola believes is a new chapter, with several high-profile exits in the summer including Ederson, İlkay Gündoğan, and Manuel Akanji, while reinforcements have arrived to strengthen the squad.

With former City sporting director Txiki Begiristain recently reflecting on Guardiola’s transformative impact on English football, Klopp’s latest words add further weight to the Catalan’s enduring reputation.

Speaking during a new interview with The Athletic’s Adam Crafton, Klopp put further praise on Guardiola’s managerial abilities, crediting his preference for golf as a reason why he is “a genius”.

“Pep (Guardiola), he improved his (golf) handicap with age! I didn’t have a f***ing minute of time to play golf! So that’s why he’s a genius and I am not,” Klopp playfully told The Athletic.

Commenting on Manchester City’s own revival after a hugely challenging last campaign, the former Anfield boss said, “City is on the way back, they change a little bit.

“Managers need that as well… a new way of looking at things to keep it fresh.”

Klopp’s assessment highlights a growing feeling within football that Guardiola has been able to reinvent himself and his City team after adversity. Much like Guardiola himself admitted in an interview with Joe Hart, where he revealed his job was saved by the backing of chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and his directors, City are framing this season as a rebirth.

The arrival of more than 10 new faces since January, the promotion of Bernardo Silva as captain, and a reinvigorated tactical approach have all been viewed as symbols of Guardiola’s adaptability, and Klopp’s comments about “keeping it fresh” mirror Guardiola’s own language.

Looking ahead, Manchester City’s revival will be closely monitored across Europe and rivals, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea, are all strengthening too, but the question remains whether Guardiola can once again take his side to the levels that saw them dominate English football between 2018 and 2023.

With the Catalan contracted until the summer of 2027, and now enjoying the backing of both players and hierarchy, Jurgen Klopp’s words may prove prophetic if Manchester City can translate this reset into silverware.