Pep Guardiola cries at the tribute to Jurgen Klopp and admits his own future at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola broke down in tears and admitted that he will miss his friend and rival Jurgen Klopp after his departure from Liverpool.

The German boss led the Reds for the last time in their Premier League victory over Anfield, ending their nine-year stay on Merseyside.

Manchester City and Liverpool have forged a spectacular rivalry in that time, with the two clubs regularly battling for the Premier League title and major trophies at home and abroad.

City's spending has been huge compared to Liverpool's, with Guardiola's side currently being investigated for 115 counts of breaching financial fair play, but that didn't stop Klopp from paying tribute to his friend and rival.

Klopp said: “Everyone knows the 115 charges, but I have no idea what they mean. I only know the number.

“Whatever happens at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world and that is really important.

“If you put any other manager in that club, they don't win the league four times in a row. That depends on him and his boys. Does that mean they can do whatever they want? No. But I don't know what they did, if anything, and I'm not here to say they did it.

We will see. Of course, I would like to know (if City are guilty) one day. Everyone wants to know. But I'll be somewhere else. Pep's quality makes the difference, so I don't worry about these things. We will see. “It's not my problem and I'm fine with what we have and what we've achieved.”

Aware of Klopp's comments, Guardiola became emotional in his press conference.

“I will miss him a lot,” said the Spaniard. “Jurgen has been a very important part of my life. He took me to another level as a coach. We respect each other incredibly.

“I have the feeling that he will return and I thank him very much for his words, but he knows that behind me there is a lot that this club gives me, otherwise I cannot do it alone. I am humble enough to understand it.” that.

“He helps me with his team, he has been a great competitor in my life. I didn't find a way to punish them like I can with other teams. With him it has been very difficult.

“I'm pretty sure Mikel (Arteta) will continue his legacy to take us to another level. I wish him all the best and I hope his last game was special, he deserved it.

“He made Liverpool recognized with his seal and the incredible pride of being a Liverpool fan. It's not just about titles, there are personalities who when they arrive at a place they stay forever and Jurgen and Liverpool will be part of Shankly's level . and Paisley and these incredible legends.”

The city made history by getting a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 3-1 victory over West Ham was enough to take the crown, leaving Arsenal wonder what could have been in second place.

That title was Guardiola's sixth Premier League title, a trophy that will sit alongside two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups and a Champions League in City's bulging trophy cabinet.

There is no doubt that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is one of the best managers in the Premier League, but with his contract expiring next summer, there is a feeling he could follow the same path. Klopp leaving the Premier League after 'completing' English football.

While Guardiola has confirmed that he will stay at Manchester City next season, he has not offered any encouragement beyond that.

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Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola said: “The reality is that I am closer to leaving than staying.

“We have spoken with the club, I have the feeling that now I want to stay.

“I'll stay next season and during the season we'll talk. But eight or nine years we'll see. I didn't expect to stay eight or nine years.

“I expected three, four or five, but not much. I can't believe it. It's the Premier League. It's the hardest.”

And he added: “I had that feeling last season (after winning the treble),” he said in his press conference. “We were in Istanbul and I said: 'It's over. What am I doing here? There's nothing left.' But I have a contract, I'm here and I'm still enjoying some moments, sometimes tired but some I love.

“And after a few days, we started playing well, winning games, with different players, and we started to think that no one has made it four in a row. Why not try it?

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“But, next season, at this moment, I can't know what the motivation will be to do it. Sometimes it's hard to find it when everything is done.

“But I know that the players and I will be there and think, why shouldn't we win today? Why not? Why shouldn't we work as hard as possible to do what we have to do?

“And I know we're going to do it. I know.”

In response to Guardiola's comments, Jamie Redknapp joked that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would be sitting in his office at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium waiting for the Manchester City boss to leave so his team could win the title.

After finishing fifth in 2022, Arsenal came second last season with five points separating them from Man City.

With that gap reduced to just two this quarter, it's clear that North Londoners are getting closer each year.

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In his post-match press conference, Arteta accepted that Arsenal may need to reach 100 points next season if they are to reach the top.

He explained: “I was there (at Man City) when we got 100 points, so I know what it takes.”

“I know what happened and this is the level. Nobody has to explain what the level is because I was there four years every day and I know what we have to do if we want to get there.

“Not just for one season, but for the rest, but we are on the right path, the right journey and to see the evolution so rapid, I have not seen it before.

“So we're on the right trajectory and now we really need to grit our teeth and bite them because we really want more.”

Arteta added: “If we do what we have to do, we will be closer and in the end we will win.”

“When? I don't know. But if we keep calling and being this close, it will eventually happen.”