Zinedine Zidane has hailed Pep Guardiola as the best coach in the world as his Real Madrid side prepare to face Manchester City in the Champions League.
Former Barcelona manager Guardiola will take City into the last-16 double legged clash with Real in February, when he will come up against old rival Zidane.
Guardiola has previously spoken of his admiration for Zidane, having come up against him as a player and manager previously. The Frenchman returned to Real last year after leading them to three Champions League titles.
"I dreamed of playing with him as a player at Juventus when I left Barcelona but at the end it didn't happen," Guardiola had said.
"I didn’t speak much with him. Three or four times. But my first impression is that he’s an incredible person to handle to pressure of incredible clubs like Madrid.
"I admire him and it’s really good this type of person is in football and it will be a pleasure to see him again."
Now Zidane has returned the praise, telling Spanish media how he is looking forward to the tie.
"It will be special to go up against him. I played against him lots of times," he said.
"I respect him as a player and as a coach because I think he's the best coach in the world.
"He's proved that during his career and I'm looking forward to going up against him and facing his team."
