It seems that Pep Guardiola has been at Manchester City for so long that the English sarcasm is rubbing off on him.
Guardiola is not shy when it comes to using tongue-in-cheek comments in interviews, highlighted before City's win at Chelsea when he joked he was 'following the fans' when it came to picking his starting line-up. And after the game, when he made two game-changing double substitutions, he was at it again, entertaining reporters when he declared himself a 'genius' for changing his system at half time.
However, that sarcasm doesn't appear to have made it all the way back to his native Spain, where Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti appeared to be asked a serious question about whether he considers himself a genius in the context of Guardiola's comments.
ALSO READ: City have new centre-back hierarchy that was unthinkable six months ago
After the Chelsea game, Guardiola said: “I am a genius. Because after Everton I was asked why I didn’t make a substitution until 87 minutes. I thought about that today and made some."
Guardiola couldn't have been more clear that he was joking in his answer, however Ancelotti was asked about the comments ahead of Real's clash with Villarreal.
Ever the diplomat, the former Chelsea and Everton boss replied: “I consider myself someone who has a wonderful job and sometimes I get things right, sometimes I don't. I also have the good fortune to be at the best club in the world.
"Guardiola is a fantastic coach and he's brought something new and interesting to football, and he keeps doing so".
Perhaps a topic that will interest City more from Ancelotti's press conference will be Ancelotti's suggestion that Real are content without making a move for England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is linked with both his side and the Blues, among others.
“Bellingham has shown at the World Cup that he is a great midfielder, but so have others," Ancelotti said.
"Enzo Fernandez has played very well. Gavi and Pedri as well. Bellingham is one of those very good midfielders, but I’m happy with the ones we have. Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde. ”
READ NEXT:
