That Harry Kane team? – I´m over Guardiola dig, says Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino insists he holds no animosity towards Pep Guardiola after his Manchester City counterpart labelled Tottenham “that Harry Kane team”.

Guardiola and Pochettino go head to head on Saturday, with City 18 points clear of their visitors following a record 15-match winning run in the Premier League.

Back in October Guardiola appeared to suggest Spurs were a one-man team, reliant solely on the goalscoring exploits of the prolific Kane.

He later clarified that he meant no disrespect and Pochettino spoke of his admiration for the former Barca boss.

50 – Harry Kane has now scored 50 goals for Tottenham Hotspur & @England combined in 2017. Special. pic.twitter.com/1oZcnyp2wm

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 9, 2017

Asked if Guardiola had ever called to explain the comment, Pochettino said: “I had some conversations with people from the coaching staff. It was a thing that happened in that moment. In the end it’s not an issue.

“We have a very good relationship. I admire Pep – all that he was doing at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now at Manchester City.

“I think he is one of the managers I am more close to in football. Now it’s in the past I forgot everything. I think him too, the same.”

It was put to Pochettino that displaying Guardiola’s comments in the Etihad Stadium dressing room prior to kick-off might motivate the Spurs players, but the Argentine laughed off that idea.

He added: “Be sure, we’re going to see each other and say hello. We have a lot of friends in the middle. The respect is the most important.

“I don’t only admire and respect him how he feels about football. His passion for football. I know him from Barcelona, 21 years old, he was older than me. It’s not a problem.

“The most important is to try to enjoy football. Two teams that try to enjoy football. Of course I wish him and all the people I love there all the best.

“We need the three points to try to be in the top four and fight for big things at the end of the season.”