Pep Guardiola extended an open invitation for Erik ten Hag to visit Manchester City’s training ground after the Dutch coach was dismissed by Manchester United on Monday.
During their two seasons in England together, Guardiola and Ten Hag faced off in seven Manchester derbies. Guardiola’s City prevailed in five of those encounters, including a resounding 6-3 win in their first meeting, though United claimed victory in the FA Cup final in May. Despite that high point, Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford ultimately unraveled, with INEOS deciding to part ways after United’s poor start to the season.
Ahead of City’s Carabao Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola was asked if Ten Hag would be welcome at City’s training ground. “Any time!” he replied enthusiastically. “Many people come, and we’re always open. I think he knows exactly what we do, so it might not happen, but I know his agent, so the relationship is there. There’s no problem from my side.”
The two coaches share a unique history, with Ten Hag once managing Bayern Munich’s second team while Guardiola led the senior squad. Known as “Mini Pep” during his Bayern days for his tactical similarities to Guardiola, Ten Hag also shares an agent with Guardiola—Kees Vos, founder of Sports Entertainment Group (SEG).
Reflecting on Ten Hag’s departure, Guardiola expressed empathy: “I’m so sorry for him. I have a great relationship with him. He represented United with such professionalism.”
Guardiola pointed out the unique challenges of being a football manager. “It’s one of the few professions where people expect you to be sacked. You don’t see this with architects, doctors, or teachers. It’s just in our job, and we have to accept it.”
Expressing confidence in Ten Hag’s resilience, he added, “I wish him all the best. He’ll come back stronger. We all know our jobs rely on results. If they’re not good enough, we’re out. That applies to me, too—I’m not an exception.”
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