Pep Guardiola has backed Unai Emery to return to management quickly following his sacking by Arsenal .
Emery was sacked as Gunners boss after 18 months in charge, following a run of seven games without a win.
But Guardiola, who came up against Emery in La Liga Spain and the Premier League, backed the 48-year-old, despite Arsenal's decision to jettison him.
“I’m so sorry for him,” said Guardiola. “Every time a manager is sacked it’s not good news, honestly.
“But it doesn’t change my opinion about his capacity. He’s an incredible professional, he did incredibly well in Spain.
“He won three Europa Leagues in a row with Sevilla, one of the most incredible achievements. I know and he knows it’s [down to] results.”
Guardiola takes his Manchester City side to Newcastle tomorrow, knowing a win can cut Liverpool's lead at the top to six points before Jurgen Klopp's side host Brighton .
City lost at St James' Park last January, before going on a 14-game winning run to pip Liverpool to the title by a single point.
“It was a bit turbulent in the beginning of the season [for Newcastle],” said Guardiola.
“I think they’re a team who can stay in the Premier League.
“They’re so strong and fast in front with Joelinton.
“We knew him from last season with Hoffenheim. Their structure is similar to Rafa Benitez.”
On City's defeat to Newcastle Guardiola said: “It’s forgotten. We played slow, didn’t attack. We forgot to attack. But it was nearly 12 months ago.
“We’ve learned from that and spoke about it. We had a bad afternoon. It wasn’t the way we are. We have to be ourselves.
“Newcastle made a good defensive performance, had two shots on target and we didn’t play like we could.
“We tried to be who we are from the next game. At that moment, I didn’t think we’d win the Premier League and 14 games in a row.”
