'My last season' - Man City could lose secret weapon after contract bombshell

Pep Guardiola was almost in tears at the end of the Premier League season in May.

He had just led Manchester City to another title, this time pipping Arsenal to a fourth-successive Premier League trophy, but there had been a jibe aimed at him from down the East Lancs Road at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp had just managed his final game at Liverpool and was asked about City and their outstanding Premier League charges. “Everybody knows about the 115 charges, but I have no clue what that means,” said Klopp.

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“I only know the number. Whatever has happened at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world - and that is really important."

Guardiola could have risen to the bait but instead chose to praise Klopp who had driven him to new levels during his time at City. He looked genuinely emotional as he said: "I will miss him a lot. Jurgen has been a really important part of my life. He brought me to another level as a manager. We respect each other incredibly.

"I have the feeling he will be back and thank you so much for his words but he knows that behind me there is a lot that this club provides me with, otherwise alone I can't do it. I'm humble enough to understand that. He helps me with his team, he has been a huge competitor in my life. I didn't discover the way I can punish them like I can find for other teams. With him it has been so difficult."

It was the final chapter - for now - of the Guardiola-Klopp rivalry, with City's battle against Liverpool continuing this season with Arne Slot in the Anfield hotseat. Plenty had written Liverpool off this