Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze has offered his take on Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola.
The Germany international is one of a number of players to have worked under both, starting his career with Klopp at Dortmund before moving across the Bundesliga to join Bayern Munich, where he worked under Guardiola , before returning to the club where he started his career.
His path have not always been easy, scoring in the 2014 World Cup final but struggling with injury issues and a loss of form during his time in Bavaria, but the 26-year-old remains a talented player.
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With Klopp and Guardiola going toe-to-toe in pursuit of the Premier League title, Gotze was asked to compare the pair - but admitted it is difficult because there are significant differences.
"They are difficult to compare because they pursue different philosophies. The fact is that both are extremely successful,” he told Bild.
"I am grateful to have worked with two such outstanding coaches. I watch the games of both teams as often as possible, the title fight in the Premier League is extremely exciting."
Winner of the Bundesliga five times, Gotze could be on the move again in the near future as his current deal with Dortmund is due to expire next summer.
And he has revealed he remains in regular contact with the Liverpool boss.
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"He knew that I wanted to leave Bayern. Of course, we talked. He knows me very well and that I am always looking for new challenges,” he added.
"I often speak to Klopp. He brought me to the first team when I was 17 and he made it all possible. We never stopped talking."
