Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been compared to famous architect Antoni Gaudi ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia.
Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time and has built several formidable teams during his trophy-laden nine-year spell in charge of Man City.
The 53-year-old has won a total of 18 trophies as manager of the Citizens, including four successive Premier League titles and one Champions League, while he also lifted a combined 21 trophies during his times in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich prior to his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in 2016.
Guardiola's success at the highest level over a 16-year period has been likened to the work of fellow Catalan Gaudi (1852-1926), who is considered to be the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism and most famously designed the iconic Sagrada Familia church.
Ahead of Tuesday's clash with Man City, Slovan Bratislava manager Vladimir Weiss told reporters: "I'd compare Pep to Gaudi; he's been building something nobody can understand.
"He is a genius just like Gaudi had his idea [to build] a cathedral and now he's achieved what he wanted to do. He's selected players who fit his philosophy.
© Imago
Guardiola flattered by Weiss's Gaudi comparison
"I love [Carlo] Ancelotti, [Jurgen] Klopp, but Pep has changed football with is attitude and creativity and stubbornness - in a good way.
"Each player plays in his position, whether at Barca or Bayern Munich the players know how to move, where to be, what is their position. City is showing it on the pitch."
In response to Weiss's kind words, Guardiola jokingly said: "Oh really? And didn't he have wine in his glass?"
He added: "What can I say to that? Maybe just thank you very much. Gaudi was the greatest. When you come to the Sagrada Familia cathedral, you feel his vision and at the same time you say to yourself that this is not possible.
"We are finishing the Sagrada Familia, still it's not done, but when you go there into this temple, you realise what - in that time, without 3Ds and all this technology - this person (Gaudi) had the vision to create or think this type of things.
"You cannot realise it's possible...Hopefully in my adorable and lovely country, Catalunya, sooner or later can finish it, and all of the people around the world, religious or not, can enjoy it."
© Imago
Guardiola talks up Slovan Bratislava test
Man City will be regarded as firm favourites to beat Champions League debutants Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday, but Guardiola is expecting another tough test on the European stage after drawing 0-0 with Inter Milan in their opening fixture a fortnight ago.
"This is a team that I would say plays with courage," said Guardiola. "I saw the game against Celtic (a 5-1 defeat in Glasgow) and they were not scared to play, not scared to link with their striker and they want to try it.
"The Champions League it doesn't matter, I always have incredible respect for all the teams, especially when you play away. Hopefully we can be an aggressive team again and take a result."
Guardiola added: "I learned nothing is for granted (as a manager). The media is going to say how beautiful we are but always you have to do it. Nothing comes for free.
"Always I have an incredible opinion of my opponents and my colleagues. I never win a game just thinking because I am here or Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Always I try to give credit and especially for our opponents."
Meanwhile, Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne, who has missed City's last three games with a groin injury.
No Data Analysis info
