Pep Guardiola has hailed Mauricio Pochettino as one of the best managers in the world ahead of Manchester City's Premier League trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
Guardiola is all too aware of the threat posed by the Argentinian, who masterminded a stunning win for Espanyol over his then-unbeaten Barcelona side at the Nou Camp in 2009.
Victory for Spurs this week would be somewhat less of a surprise but the City boss admitted his side face a major challenge against a team of whom he freely admits he is a major fan.
Guardiola said: "I don't think he (Pochettino) is one of the best managers in England - I think he is one of the best in the world.