Manchester City will host Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League clash at the Etihad on Saturday.
Ahead of the league tie between the two sides, SportBild interviewed Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who has played under both José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola so far in his career.
The current Citizens manager promoted him to Bayern Munich’s first team when the two were at the German club. Mourinho, on the other hand, signed the 25-year-old from Southampton last summer.
After discussing the differences between the two managers, the German magazine asked the midfielder specifically about the former Chelsea boss.
The Denmark international has started in every league fixture for Spurs this season and has been hailed as a “phenomenal player” by his manager.
“It motivates me, makes me keep going, thinking ahead and wanting even more. But I don’t lose my most important task, which the coach expects of me,” he said.
“I want to make my team better. My job is to read the game well, to communicate properly, to organise the team. The coach gives me a lot of responsibility.
“I enjoy this job because I can see that my colleagues benefit from it. But in the end, it’s always about the big picture. We have to feel and live every day that we want to get the best out of ourselves.”
Højbjerg discussed Mourinho’s plan when asked if it’s one of the Portuguese tactician’s ‘great secrets’ to turn his team into a ‘conspiratorial bunch’.
“Yes, Mourinho turns us into a machine in which one cog engages the other and everyone works for everyone. Everyone in the club feels that,” the Dane explained.
“I am happy and proud to be part of this machine. We must always keep them hot by joining forces.”
Prior to the clash against Guardiola’s side, Højbjerg and Tottenham’s immediate focus will be on the FA Cup tie against Everton later today.
