Pep Guardiola insists his Manchester City players will have plenty more opportunities to win the Champions League – despite the club’s impending ban.
City head into the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu with a cloud hanging over them after being suspended from the competition for the next two seasons.
The Premier League champions are appealing against the sanction – imposed by European governing body UEFA for Financial Fair Play breaches – but, as things stand, their current run in the event will be their last until at least 2022-23.
He said: “Obviously I thank him for those words. I don’t want to go against what he’s saying but I never wanted to be the best. I never understood who was the best manager.
“Of course if you win you get more praise and if you lose you get more criticism.
“What Zidane has done in Europe I don’t think is going to be repeated. They won three consecutive Champions Leagues and that proves how great this club is.
“Not may clubs can compare. They try to do it on the pitch but outside it is impossible.”
On his past rivalry with Real, Guardiola said: “It’s a pleasure to come back here. It’s an honour and I intend to enjoy it.”
