Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has revealed he models himself on Pep Guardiola .
Argentinean Pellegrino spent a year playing with the Spaniard at Barcelona, when they won La Liga in 1999.
He reckons he could already see then that Guardiola was destined for a career in the dugout, but admits even he has been shocked by what the Manchester City boss has achievements with Barca, Bayern Munich and now the Blues.
Pellegrino tonight becomes the latest boss to try to work out a way of stopping Premier League table-toppers City’s juggernaut and said: “We had a beautiful moment together, won the league, and this experience was really good.
“As soon as I arrived, Pep was one of the players asking for new ideas, asking how we trained in Argentina and different places.
“He had a good reading on the pitch and this is something he has translated much better outside the pitch. But I never imagined he could achieve so much as a manager.
“I try and copy every single person I know — and admire the people who achieve something, like him.”
City have not lost in any competition since April, after their narrow 2-1 win at Huddersfield on Sunday.
Echoing Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp, Pellegrino said: “Nobody is unbeatable, in football or in any sport.
“Every single game is about 22 players, one team against another. We need to be 100 per cent with our performance and attitude.
“We have to be at the top in footballing terms, if we are to have any chance. It is incredible how City can sustain their performance every single game, playing with mostly the same players.
“To be in a top team, the first thing you need is a mentality to try and do it. It is not easy but now they are in an amazing moment. But every team has problems and Huddersfield were really close to getting something.”
Saints have midfielder Oriol Romeu back from suspension, while fit-again Mario Lemina is also pushing for a start.
Striker Charlie Austin, who scored twice in their 4-1 weekend triumph over Everton, said: “Playing Manchester City is like a free hit for us.”
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