Why Pep Guardiola Never Had Lunch or Dinner With Jurgen Klopp? Manchester City Boss’ Answer Will Leave You in Splits

“We have not had dinner together yet, but I hope in the future.” These words might sound familiar from the 2019 Ballon d’Or ceremony when Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his desire to spend quality time with his long-term rival Lionel Messi. But of course, in soccer, rivalries extend beyond players to managers like Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola too. That said, can fans also witness the possibility of these two managers sharing a meal? Well, the reason why Klopp and Guardiola never went to lunch or dinner will leave you stunned. 

Ahead of the title showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool, the Spaniard was asked if, while relishing the on-pitch battle with Klopp, he ever had the opportunity to spend time away from the pitch with him. While succinctly replying with a “no,” Guardiola added, “Sometimes in the corridor before the press conference [we talk]. When we were honored to get the Hall of Fame years ago, we spent time with [each other’s] families”. He then went on to reveal why the duo has never gone for an outing themselves.

“But in terms of lunch or dinners, [it] never happened. We have to decide who pays; that’s why we didn’t do it.” Notably, Pep Guardiola had earlier expressed a similar desire after Klopp announced his exit from Liverpool. Either way, this might be the most side-splitting reason why both never agreed to go on a lunch or dinner outing together. But it was quite interesting to know that both managers give each other time whenever their paths cross.

Meanwhile, a Premier League legend once likened the Guardiola-Klopp rivalry to the ongoing battle between the two undisputable icons of the beautiful game.

Alan Shearer drew parallels between the Pep Guardiola-Jurgen Klopp and Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi rivalry

Alan Shearer once praised the greatness of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, likening their rivalry to the unique analogy of Messi and Ronaldo. Speaking on ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, he said, “Over the years, we’ve said the way Messi and Ronaldo have pushed each other. Jurgen and Pep have done the same in the world of management.” Coincidentally, Guardiola once admitted how Klopp helped him evolve as a manager.

Pep Guardiola emphasized that his remarkable ascent in England has been shaped by facing Jurgen Klopp ‘a thousand million times.’ From the Bundesliga to the Premier League, it has been quite a journey for the two. With Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, let’s hope fans get to see this iconic managerial rivalry some place and some time again in the future.

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