West Ham United host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and he has high praise for the Hammers faithful.
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is gearing up to take on his old club at the London Stadium for the first time since leaving the Etihad to make way for Pep Guardiola.
City arrive in London as champions and look very much on course to defend their crown.
Pellegrini won the title with City.
But Guardiola, widely regarded as the best manager in world football, has taken the visitors to a new level.
Pellegrini and Guardiola to face off
So West Ham fans will be flattered after Guardiola reserved special praise for them ahead of the game.
The Spaniard is not normally one to pass comment on opposing clubs.
But it was clear West Ham’s loyal support had caught his attention judging by comments from his pre-match press conference (Manchester City TV).
“He (Pellegrini) put this team (City) on another level,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.
World’s best manager hails Hammers fans
“The way they played and created a style was impressive. He went to Real Madrid and made 96 points. It was good.
“Here he won the league and helped this club be where we are right now.
“He will do well at West Ham where there are many, many good supporters.”
The comments are in stark contrast to Guardiola’s public criticism of his own fans.
He has questioned City’s support in the past and aimed a dig at them over their refusal to embrace the Champions League (The Mirror).
What West Ham fans would give to watch a team as good and successful as Guardiola’s every week.
The former Barcelona boss is probably well aware the Hammers have just agreed a capacity rise to 66,000 which will make the London Stadium the second biggest in the Premier League behind Manchester United.
Despite not having won a major trophy for nearly 40 years West Ham have 52,000 season ticket holders – again second only to Man United – and that is set to rise with the new capacity.
Praise from one of the world’s best managers for one of the world’s best set of fans?
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