Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has jokingly agreed with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp that Pep Guardiola should take a sabbatical from football.
Manchester City welcome the Seagulls to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as they aim to return to winning ways following last weekend's loss at Anfield. A second half Mohammed Salah goal was enough to sink the Blues who felt aggrieved that they had a Phil Foden strike ruled out for a foul prior to the winner.
Unlike the rest of the Premier League, City were not in action in midweek as their match with Arsenal was postponed to accommodate the Gunners' rearranged Europa League fixture. The Blues will perhaps be fresher than their visitors who drew with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
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Ahead of Saturday's fixture, De Zerbi told Sussex Live that it was a privilege to face Guardiola and City. "For me, he [Guardiola] is the number one coach," the Italian explained.
"I appreciate him when he worked at Barcelona, Bayern, and Man City. Tomorrow is a very difficult game but it is very nice to play against Man City. If Klopp said that (Guardiola should take a sabbatical) I think he is right!"
Ahead of City's game against Liverpool last week, Klopp suggested that Guardiola taking some time away from the game would benefit his side.
"I would prefer Pep would do a sabbatical for four years," the German explained. "Actually my preference would have been for him to have had a sabbatical for the last four years. That's a joke.
"I don't know how often I have to say it but he is the best manager in the world and he is proving that all the time, every day. It's special what they are doing, really special, and I respect that. It's fine. I have no problem with the situation."
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