'Any time, seriously': Pep Guardiola makes offer to Erik ten Hag following Manchester United sacking
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists his door is always open for Erik ten Hag after he was sacked by Manchester United.
The red devils separate company with the Dutchman on Monday after two and a half years in charge, with the Sporting Lisbon coach Rubén Amorim lined up to replace it.
United are currently 14th in the Premier League standings, 12 points behind leaders City after just nine games.
However, Ten Hag surpassed Guardiola during his tenure.
United surprised the Premier League champions by beating them 2-1 in the FA Cup final in May.
But despite this, Guardiola was full of sympathy for his counterpart when asked about United's decision on Tuesday.
“Ten Hag can come and see us at any time, really,” Guardiola said.
“We are always open, but I think he knows exactly what we do and that is not going to happen, but I know his agent a little bit, there is a relationship and it is not a problem for us.
“Managers don't need advice because they know exactly what they have to do. The reality for each team is exactly what they have to do. But the reality is that each club is different, the players are different. Copy and paste this one to this one doesn’t work.”
Guardiola continued: “I always feel sorry for coaches (when they get fired), you know? He has lost his position, so I feel very sorry for him.
“I have an incredible relationship (with him). I think it represented manchester united at the highest level in terms of behavior, of course.
“Our job as managers is one of the few jobs – of all the jobs in the world – where people expect to be fired. People expect you not to have a job.
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“I don't see architects or doctors or teachers or anything… people deciding (their future doesn't say so) 'to leave.' It's just us. It's our job, we have to accept it.”
Guardiola was also asked about Ten Hag's imminent replacement, Amorim, having faced his Sporting Lisbon team in the Champions League last 16 in 2022.
City thrashed the Portuguese team 5-0 away from home, before drawing 0-0 in the second leg at the Etihad.
“The only thing I can talk about is the experience of playing against Ruben's Sporting Lisbon team twice, one or two seasons ago, and the pressure was really good,” Guardiola said.
“I spoke with Matheus Nunes, he was his player and he speaks very highly of him. And this season they are undefeated and winning all their matches in the Portuguese League and the Champions League, (they have) the same points as us.
“So a senior manager. I have the feeling that Man United, what I hear, are thinking about him. It's because he is a good administrator. “Man United don’t appoint coaches who aren’t at that level, so we can’t say they aren’t capable of leading Man United.”
