Pep Guardiola: 'Seductive football' Graham Potter is the best English manager I have met

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had words of encouragement for Graham Potter after his team thrashed Brighton 5-0 in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium on Saturday night
Pep Guardiola has maximum respect for Graham Potter's style of footballPep Guardiola has maximum respect for Graham Potter's style of football
Pep Guardiola has maximum respect for Graham Potter's style of football

Brighton were far from their best against an impressive and relentless City as a hat-trick from Raheem Sterling and strikes from Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva sealed a very comfortable victory for City.

It's been a tough period from Brighton since the restart of the Premier League but they have gained seven points and look to be clear of relegation danger with three matches remaining.

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In that period they beat Arsenal, gained a creditable draw at Leicester and recorded a high-pressure and hard fought win at Norwich.

The home loss to Man United was another tough evening and back to back matches against Premier League champions Liverpool, swiftly followed by City was a stretch too far for Potter's men.

Albion were outclassed by City and the second half in particular was a tough watch for any Albion fan as their fatigued and weary team simply could not contain a City team in this mood.

Potter refused to criticise his players after the match and said it was important to keep perspective and was confident his players would respond for the final three matches, starting with Southampton on Thursday.

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Guardiola also feels Brighton and moving in the right direction despite Saturday's result.

It's often easy to praise the opponent when you have just walloped them 5-0, but Guardiola spoke with genuine admiration and has been impressed with Potter's style, not only at Albion but also at Swansea and Ostersund.

“It is the first season for Graham. The manager will need time," said the City boss. “Graham is one of the best English managers I have met in the country with all respect to the other ones.

“He is and will be a successful manager because I have noticed how he is as a human being and as a manager.

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“I am a big fan of the managers who try to play their own way and not just wait for circumstances or one moment to win the game.

“But sometimes you need more time because the way he wants to try to play is attractive, is seductive but it’s not easy.

“I’m pretty sure next season if the club follow him, he is going to build.

“I am speaking of this because I saw when he was at Swansea, when we were nearly knocked out of the FA Cup.

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“I knew when I saw his team play against Arsenal in the Europa League, years ago and the way his team played.

“I admire these guys with maybe not the best players like the lucky managers like I am, to have exceptional players in my hands.

“He tries to do what he has to do. I wish him all the best.

“I am pretty sure next season he will be in the Premier League and next season will be better for him and for Brighton.”

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