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'I don't think so' - Pep Guardiola makes Ruben Amorim admission after Man United appointment
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola does not believe tonight's clash with Sporting Lisbon will mark the start of an 'epic battle' between himself and Ruben Amorim.
Amorim was installed as Manchester United's new head coach last Friday and will take charge of Sporting for the penultimate time this evening, ahead of moving to England next week and starting work at Old Trafford.
Amorim, who has signed a deal at United until 2027, will face Guardiola and City again less than a month after taking charge of the Reds for the first time, taking his team to the Etihad Stadium for the first Manchester derby of the Premier League season on December 15.
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However, Guardiola, who has welcomed the addition of Amorim to English football, does not believe this evening's clash in the Portuguese capital will mark the beginning of a long-running battle between the pair.
Asked if the clash between Sporting and City is the start of an 'epic battle' between the pair, Guardiola told TNT Sports: "I don't think so. From the outside, I don't know him.
"But from the outside, he looks like a lovely guy. When I see him in the dugout, he behaves much, much better than me.
"Honestly, I am really pleased that he is coming to England to play [with] United. I think both clubs have a lot of respect in the hierarchy."
Tonight, City must deal with the emotional aspect that will come with Sporting's final home game of the Amorim era. His final game in charge of the club is away at Braga this coming Sunday.
"Yes, of course," Guardiola added when asked if it can be hard to play against emotions. "The last game will be emotional for the players, playing in the Champions League against us. It will be tougher in that sense.
"In the end, it is a football game, 11 vs 11, we are going to try to defend as less as possible and play our game."
