In October 2017, after Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City had just beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Spaniard labelled Tottenham, ‘the Harry Kane team’, a comment which did not sit well with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino (Sky Sports).
Pochettino responded harshly to Guardiola’s remark, saying it was disrespectful to a lot of the other Tottenham players. The Argentine also said that the Man City manager sometimes gets carried away after victories and forgets to display humility.
Ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter final between Spurs and City, Guardiola was asked once again whether his side were up against the ‘Harry Kane team’.
The former Barcelona boss this time chose to give a much more sober answer and insisted that Tottenham have incredible players throughout the team, not just in Harry Kane.
He also explained why he said what he said previously and reiterated that he didn’t mean to disrespect the club with his comments.
Speaking ahead of the game, Guardiola told Football.London, “No I cannot say that or Mauricio will be angry and I don’t want it.
“I think my colleague misunderstood me. In that period, Kane had scored a lot and that was why I said it. I know Spurs is not just Harry Kane, the club is strong and have a lot of potential.
“They are strong in all departments. It’s an incredible team, Harry Kane who can deny is an incredible striker and he has everything. He is a modern striker but not just him, we know and we knew it then.”
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