Guardiola kills Ribery jibe with kindness

Pep Guardiola laughed off comments from Franck Ribery that he feels more comfortable under Carlo Ancelotti.

Manchester City manager Guardiola’s trophy cabinet is bursting at the seams, and despite three Bundesliga trophies in as many seasons at Bayern Munich, his former charge Ribery took a shot at his former gaffer earlier in the week.

Frenchman Ribery insisted Ancelotti, much like Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld, has brought an air of calm to the Allianz Arena, undermining Guardiola’s talkative style.

Franck Ribery of FC Bayern Munich during the International Champions Cup 2016 (Getty Images)

“He is a young coach,” Ribery said.

“He lacks experience. Sometimes he talks too much. Football is very simple.”

Guardiola has more trophies as a manager than Ribery has accumulated in his time as a professional, as well as two Champions League titles since he took the Barcelona reins in 2008.

And the Spaniard, 45, responded in the manner of a man who is comfortable with his own success when asked about Ribery’s jibes.

“About Ribery I must say I love him very much,” he said.

“It’s good that Ribery says I’m young. I’m here to learn.”