Diego Maradona rates Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho more highly than his City counterpart Pep Guardiola.
The legendary Argentinian made the bold claim in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca and even went so far as to suggest he would seek Mourinho’s advice should he ever take a job in Spain.
“Myself as a coach I need to learn a lot and for that reason I think I will go to Manchester and Mourinho to ask him a lot of things,” said the former Barcelona and Napoli star.
Asked why he would choose Mourinho over Guardiola, Maradona replied: “Because he is the best without doubt.”
It’s a surprising comment given United are currently trailing in City’s wake at the top of the Premier League.
“For me yes, Mou is the best,” Maradona explained. “I would give Pep the merit of taking advantage of the launch that Johan Cruyff gave him. I have said on more than one occasion that tiki-taka was not invented by Guardiola.
“It was ‘flaco’ Cruyff. At the moment Pep is able to choose any player in the world that he wants. That way tiki-taka is easier.”
Despite his comments, Maradona said he was convinced that Manchester City would win the Premier League. “Yes they could win it,” he said. “Before I spoke about Pep and it is clear that he is a coach that understands games better than a lot that think they know it and then lose 3-0. Kun can win the Champions League but also I say to the Argentine kids that the Champions League is great but soon will come the World Cup. That they don’t only think about the Champions League.”
Do you agree with Maradona’s pick?