Pep Guardiola admits he will miss Jurgen Klopp after it was confirmed he will leave Liverpool in the summer.
The Spaniard also joked that he is 'pleased' to see the German go because he will now 'sleep better' before his team plays the Reds in future matches.
Liverpool announced on Friday morning that Klopp will be standing down at the end of the season.
The 56-year-old claimed he has run out of energy and doesn't feel he has what it takes to continue at the helm at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to Jurgen Klopp after it was confirmed he will leave Liverpool
ITV/Getty
Guardiola didn't give his public reaction to the news until after Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round win over Tottenham on Friday evening.
The pair's rivalry dates back to their time together in the Bundesliga when they managed Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Guardiola admits the City-Liverpool rivalry will not be the same without Klopp in the opposition dugout.
But he admitted he will have fewer sleepless nights now he won't be facing Klopp twice a season.
Guardiola told ITV: "Yeah [I'm surprised] a little bit. A little bit. He's an absolutely incredible manager. I don't know him closely but I think he's an incredible person as well.
"So I had a feeling that when at the end of the season he's leaving, part of us at Man City is leaving too. They have been our biggest rival, Liverpool, in these years.
"Personally at Dortmund and here, he's been my biggest rival. So I think he will be missed, personally I will miss him.
"I'm a little bit pleased because without him I will sleep a little bit better the nights before we play against Liverpool.
"But I wish him all the best. He doesn't need it but he will be back."
Guardiola also admitted he understands the reasons why Klopp felt he could no longer continue in the role.
He added: "All the managers [can relate]. In many years, many years in the same place, I found that in Barcelona.
"So all the arguments I hear today, that I listened to about that, I understand completely."
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino saw his side draw 0-0 with Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night.
He admits he was also taken by surprise with Klopp's announcement and says it is a sad day for the Premier League.
The Argentine said: "I was in shock. I saw the news. It's really sad. When we were sacked from Tottenham, the first message I received was from him.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Snooker star 'happy to see the back of Ronnie O'Sullivan' after Rocket begins break from sport - 'Relieved'
- Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher names clear 'frontrunner' to replace Jurgen Klopp - 'There's no doubt'
- Luke Littler must 'be put in his place' as darts rivals told how to trouble teenage sensation
Pep Guardiola insists he will miss Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League
Getty
"I haven't sent him a message but I will thank him on Wednesday. We will miss him, but we should accept.
"If his wishes are to rest and go away, we need to accept. Sad news. Yes, a great character, great man, great coach.
"English football is going to miss him and Liverpool of course."
City beat Spurs thanks to a late Nathan Ake goal to keep alive their hopes of another treble.
Ahead of the match, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou gave his reaction to Klopp's decision, insisting managers regularly consider whether they are still up to the task.
Jurgen Klopp has also had many battles with Mauricio Pochettino during his time as Liverpool boss
Getty
He told ITV: "Look I'm as surprised as anyone else because he's a top manager and they're flying at the moment.
"But also understanding in the back of my mind that probably all of us who have been in the game for quite a while know, it's the constant thought in our heads, because we know how much you need to put into this position.
"He's an outstanding manager, world class and he will go down as one of the best but when you do it at one club for that long, that's the uniqueness of it."
