Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino asked if he likes Pep Guardiola after snubbing Manchester City manager's handshake

Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he has no problem with Pep Guardiola and apologized for turning down a handshake from the Manchester City manager.

The Chelsea manager reacted angrily after the 4-4 draw between the two teams at Stamford Bridge in November as he headed straight for referee Anthony Taylor.

Pochettino He was aggrieved that the full-time whistle was blown too soon with Raheem Sterling leading a counter-attack in the dying seconds.

And ahead of the Blues crash at the Etihad On Saturday, in the pre-match press conference, the former Tottenham manager was asked if he likes Guardiola.

To which he responded: “Do I like it? Yes, of course, as a coach, of course.”

Pressed about the handshake incident, he commented: “No, because I was really angry with the referee, remember? That's why.

“I later apologized in my press conference after the match. Of course, this will not happen again.

“I was very upset with the referee and I rushed onto the field to try to fight with the referee. Big mistake and I apologize again.

“I need to be calmer and more relaxed and show respect to the opponent. I feel very bad, but I apologize again.”

Pochettino has faced Guardiola 23 times in his coaching career – more than any other boss – and has a dismal record against ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

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He has only won four games and lost 13 times, a record for losses against a single coach.

But should Chelsea emerge victorious in CityPochettino would become only the second boss after Jose Mourinho to beat Guardiola on four different teams, after victories over the Spaniard in charge of Espanyol, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain.

Commenting on his record, Pochettino said: “For me it is not important. Of course, Pep is an incredible coach, one of the best coaches in the history of football.

“Of course, he was in clubs with chances of winning in BarcelonaBayern Munich and Manchester City, and of course, not just me, the record against him is not that good, there are too many coaches who suffer against him and his teams.

“The most important thing is to be involved in this game with the possibility of facing a team like Manchester City and the possibility of facing them, a team that always challenges.

“It's always a great opportunity to learn from the best.”

Since beating the Citizens in the 2021 Champions League final, Chelsea have failed to beat City in their last seven attempts, losing six times.

But if they get the three points, they could finish the weekend in seventh place if Newcastle, West Ham and Brighton all lose.

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