Mauricio Pochettino insists he no longer has a problem with Pep Guardiola over the 'Harry Kane team' comment: 'It's in the past... our relationship is very good'

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Mauricio Pochettino insists there is no lingering bad blood with Pep Guardiola after the row sparked by the Manchester City manager labelling Tottenham ‘the Harry Kane team’.

Pochettino was angered by the remarks in October and called Guardiola ‘disrespectful’.

But ahead of Tottenham’s clash at City on Saturday, Pochettino explained that the issue had blown over following conversations with mutual friends on Guardiola’s staff.

Mauricio Pochettino said there was no lingering issue between himself and Pep Guardiola

He said: ‘I had some conversations with people from the coaching staff. It was a thing that happened in that moment. In the end it's not an issue.

‘We have a very good relationship. I admire Pep - all that he has done at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now at Manchester City. 

'I think he is one of the managers I am more close to in football. Now it's in the past I forgot everything. I think him too, the same.

‘Be sure, we're going to see each other and say hello. We have a lot of friends in the middle. The respect is the most important. 

(L-R) Danny Rose, Harry Kane and Jan Vertonghen trained ahead of Saturday evening's match

Tottenham are looking to halt Manchester City's record-breaking 15-match winning run

Kane, pictured with Harry Winks (right), has netted 12 Premier League goals so far this season 

'I don't only admire and respect him how he feels about football. His passion for football. I know him from Barcelona, when I was young.

‘It's not a problem. The most important thing is to try to enjoy football. Two teams that try to enjoy football. Of course I wish him and all the people I love there all the best. 

'But we're going to try to win, try to stop them and not just to stop them - we need the three points to try to be in the top four and fight for big things at the end of the season.’

Guardiola, posing with November's Manager of the Month award, initially angered Pochettino

The previous meeting between the two managers ended in a 2-2 draw at the Etihad last season

On the wider challenge of facing City, who have set a Premier League record of 15 straight wins, Pochettino added: ‘So far no one can stop Manchester City. They are having a fantastic season and I think they deserve all the praise and credit. 

'First of all for the manager, Pep, he's doing a fantastic job with all the coaching staff. They're doing a great job.

‘For us it's a massive challenge. It's a game that you don't need to motivate your players, you don't need to talk too much. 

'Only decide the plan, provide the plan to the players and on the day only deliver that plan. But what they are doing is fantastic, broken records and how they are playing is very good.’