Published 18:49 IST, February 12th 2021
Tottenham star reveals how Man City boss Guardiola comforted him after dad’s tragic death
Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has heaped praise on former manager Pep Guardiola ahead of the Man City vs Tottenham game on Saturday.
Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has revealed how Man City boss Pep Guardiola helped him at Bayern Munich when his father was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2014. Ahead of Tottenham's visit to Man City on Saturday, Hojbjerg recalled an intimate moment he shared with the Catalan as a teenager when his father was diagnosed with the illness. The Dane claimed that it was the worst news he could have received as a teenager, but his then-manager at Bayern Munich offered him some key advice.
Tottenham's Hojbjerg reveals why he will always hold a 'special bond' with Pep Guardiola
While speaking in an interview ahead of Spurs' visit to the Etihad Stadium this weekend, Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg recalled the time he worked with Guardiola at Bayern Munich. The Danish midfielder was just 17 when he became the youngest player to represent the German club in the Bundesliga but tragedy struck just days after he turned 18. In 2013, Hojbjerg’s father, Christian, called him up to reveal that he was suffering from stomach cancer.
In a recent interview with The Sun, the 25-year-old said, "I was heartbroken at that time. Guardiola called me in his office and said: ‘I heard about your father, I’m incredibly sorry. Let’s just talk together’. Then all of a sudden I started crying and said I was confused and scared. Then he said to me: ‘The people you care about the most and who are closest to you, you have to stick to them, even if it costs a little in the workplace’. He said that he would always be there for me. And then he started to cry and did not know what to say.”
Hojbjerg's father was then flown to Germany for treatment which Bayern paid for. Unfortunately, Christian passed away in 2014. Hojbjerg, however, went on to explain how Guardiola also helped him tactically for as long he was at the club.
Man City vs Tottenham: Where to watch Man City vs Spurs live in India?
In India, the game between Man City and Tottenham will telecast live on Star Sports. The Man City vs Spurs live stream will be available on Disney+ Hotstar VIP.
Man City are currently at the summit of the Premier League standings, five points clear of second-placed Man United. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's Spurs are in eighth place on the league table, four points behind Liverpool in fourth.
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Image Credits - Tottenham, Man City Instagram
Updated 18:49 IST, February 12th 2021