Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino hits out after Pep Guardiola's ‘Harry Kane team’ jibe

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​Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola for dismissively referring to Spurs as the ‘Harry Kane team’ shortly before the international break.

Speaking after Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Guardiola was asked for his views on City’s title rivals.

Guardiola was careful to praise Jose Mourinho’s ‘tough’ Manchester United, and praised Chelsea for their ability to respond positively to set-backs, but appeared to dismiss third-place Tottenham as little more than a one-man team.

“We saw again this week the Harry Kane team scores every day two or three goals,” Guardiola said.

Pochettino has had to wait the duration of the international break to hit back at Guardiola, but wasted no time in responding to his jibe during Tottenham’s pre-match press conference ahead of their home match against Bournemouth.

“It was funny when I heard him the other day because I know Pep very well. When it’s exciting after an amazing victory against Chelsea, sometimes [he] can struggle to keep his position and be a gentleman,” Pochettino said.

“I take that situation as that didn’t affect me but the reality is it was very disrespectful for many people and it’s difficult to understand because he was part of the big success at Barcelona with Messi at his best, and I never said it was ‘the Messi team’.

“I always said it was Barcelona or Pep Guardiola. I think everyone deserves to be recognised as part of the success of the team. But I think many people took those words as very disrespectful for the club, and for many players that are here I think it’s a strange situation. In my case personally I didn’t take it in a bad way. It wasn’t disrespectful for myself.”

But despite his frustration with Guardiola’s comment, Pochettino admitted it was unlikely to motivate his team throughout the rest of the season.

“No, no, no. I think it's a sad comment because the players laugh about that,” he added. “If you're a manager you must show more, no? To be above this type of comment.

“That is my opinion like I respect his opinion but I think the players, more motivated or less motivated? I think it's the same. It's sad and it's not right in football. Today we want to show respect, fair play and everything.”

When asked whether he had discussed the comment with Guardiola over the phone, Pochettino replied: “No, of course not. He has not called me yet. Maybe after the press conference he calls me. I am sure I will reply.”