Guardiola: Mourinho Needs Time To Transform Spurs

Mourinho was appointed to replace Mauricio Pochettino in November last year, after the latter’s dismissal for failing to churn out the desired results at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Despite the appointment of the Portuguese coach, Spurs have fairly improved and are six points away from the top four spot.

Mourinho has won eight and drawn four out of his first 17 games in charge of Tottenham, a win ratio of 47.06%.

Ahead of Manchester City’s trip to face Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, Guardiola feels his one-time bitter rival must be given time to revamp the team.

“I saw this morning one game and a half, before then just highlights. I couldn’t say more than that,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager told reporters.

“But everyone knows about him and about his personality as a manager. When you take over a team during the season it’s not easy to change things or instill something because you don’t have time to train.

“It’s difficult for people who have been there three, four years to train, review and add something.”

The Spaniard was asked about his rivalry with the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager. The duo have a fair share of history with each other during their tenures in La Liga.

Guardiola insists he and Mourinho are too experienced and mature to have a rivalry with each other.

“I know you were looking forward (to it) but I’m sorry. Maybe we are older and more experienced” he added.

“Every time when we played when he was at United, always the people weren’t talking about how we are going to play or how he is going to play, or who was going to win.”

“It was just about my press conference, did I say something or did he say something? But, I’m sorry, I told you, it didn’t happen.”