Guardiola: Of course I’ll shake Mourinho’s hand

Matt Stead

New Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has played down his rivalry with Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho ahead of their friendly match in Beijing on Monday.

The two managers will go head-to-head when the Manchester clubs meet in the International Champions Cup (kick-off 12.30pm BST) in China.

The pair first clashed in 2009 when Mourinho was manager of Inter Milan and Guardiola was at Barcelona and the rivalry has continued ever since.

However, it has been four years since they last collided and Guardiola insists there won’t be any issues on the touchline in Beijing.

The Spaniard was asked if he will shake Mourinho’s hand before the match, he said: “Of course, we’re polite guys. Why not? Why wouldn’t I shake hands?”

Ahead of the game against rivals United, Guardiola was keen to stress that the game will be played in the right way despite the history between the clubs and coaches.

“He [Mourinho] wants to win, I want to win,” the Spaniard added. “But it is a friendly game, a really friendly game.”

City pipped United to fourth place last season courtesy of a superior goal difference, but Guardiola thinks the Red Devils will improve this campaign.

“I am pretty sure they will be stronger than last year, he said. “With this manager and the good players they already had, they will be a good team.”