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'He completely underestimated the power and speed of the Premier League': Ajax boss Erik ten Hag reveals how Pep Guardiola first struggled in England but insists Manchester City coach is 'the best' in the world

Pep Guardiola's early Premier League troubles as Manchester City boss have helped him become the best in the world according to his former protege Erik ten Hag.

Having taken over at the Etihad in 2016 after a spell at Bayern Munich, Guardiola endured a trophyless debut campaign but then went on to lift consecutive Premier League titles as well as one FA Cup and three League Cups as his famed methods bore fruit.

And ten hag, who served as Bayern Munich's reserve boss under Guardiola before taking the reigns at Ajax, outlined how the early setbacks have helped the Spaniard adapt and thrive amid the physicality in England.