Eddie Howe speaks out about Pep Guardiola's tendency to chat up Newcastle United players after games
Newcastle United meet Manchester City again on Saturday, and one thing that fans will be watching out for at full-time is which Newcastle player Pep Guardiola throws an arm around this time.
The Manchester City manager has a habit of making a beeline at full-time for an opposition player for a brief chat on the pitch, which has irked a lot of fans, not just of Newcastle United.
What's most annoying is that it always seems to be the players who have been linked with Manchester City who end up having these little chats with Pep.
Bruno Guimaraes has long been linked with Man City, and he has been seen talking to Pep after games. This season it was Sandro Tonali.
Eddie Howe isn't concerned with Pep Guardiola's chats with Newcastle players
Tino Livramento is now being heavily linked with a move to the Etihad in the summer, so if he's involved on Saturday night, it's going to be interesting to see if Pep makes a move on him.
Eddie Howe was asked on Friday morning how he feels about the opposition manager talking to his players after the game, particularly those who have been discussed as potential transfer targets.
"No, I don't think it annoys me. I think that's something Pep does regularly with lots of players. I don't think it's personal to us. I think he's a football man and he's got different relationships with different players.
"I really respect Pep in what he does in how he coaches and how he manages. He's been fantastic for the Premier League, fantastic for football really."
If Pep Guardiola makes a move on Tino Livramento, are we within our rights to unleash Mad Dog?
Howe also said that he doesn't spend any time wondering what those conversations are about.
We're not sure the majority of the fanbase will be so relaxed if he does do it again on Saturday with Tino Livramento, because then it becomes crystal clear that he's tapping players up. Surely.
There's a trend of AI videos going around showing players and managers booting opponents in the face. We might see a real case of it on Saturday if Pep throws an arm around Tino, with Jason Tindall coming out of nowhere to take Pep down.
