Pep Guardiola makes 'doctor' comparison for Erik ten Hag in emotional Man Utd dig

Manchester City boss  Pep Guardiola issued a rousing defence of Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United earlier this week.

Ten Hag and Guardiola went head-to-head seven times during the former’s short stay in Manchester, with the Dutchman winning just once.

His sole victory against Guardiola came during last season’s FA Cup final – a win that was said to have kept Ten Hag in a job.

But with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS having eventually pulled the plug on Ten Hag’s tenure, Guardiola, who worked with the 54-year-old at Bayern Munich, had some warm words for his former colleague.

When quizzed on Ten Hag’s sacking, Guardiola replied: “I feel sorry for managers when they lose their position, I am so sorry for him. I have an incredible relationship [with him], he represented United in the highest level in terms of behaviour.

“Our job as a manager is one of the few jobs out of all the jobs in the world where the people are expecting them to be sacked.

“The people are expecting you to not have a job. I don’t see architects, or doctors, or teachers, or anyone the people saying ‘get out’. It’s only us.

“It’s our job, we have to accept it. I wish him all the best, he and his family, and of course he’s going to come back stronger.”

But, Guardiola did recognise that with demands on top clubs higher than ever, getting the sack is a manager doesn’t deliver results is par for the course.

He continued: “If you decide to be a manager, and you don’t understand that, don’t do it… decide to do another job.

“Unfortunately it’s as simple as that, you have to get results. If you [think you are there because] you’re handsome, good spirits, good relationship with your hierarchy, forget about it.

“I have an incredible relationship with my hierarchy, but if I didn’t get results I wouldn’t be here, it is a business. And when you become a manager, you have to know it.”

Guardiola was asked with tongue-in-cheek if it helps that he’s handsome as well, to which the Catalan sarcastically replied: “I was.”

It comes ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup clash away to Tottenham – a fixture Guardiola has already admitted he isn’t going to field a first-choice team for.

City are currently dealing with several first-team injuries, with the likes of Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and recent Ballon d’Or winner Rodri having sat out their last match.

On his side’s chances, Guardiola said: “Few players [out], but we’re going to try and do a good game, try and go through. Last season we were out against Newcastle, played really well.

“So perform well, this is what I want, no injuries please, and go to the last week before the international break.”