Pep Guardiola labels counterpart Antonio Conte as world's best manager

Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola

London: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described his Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte as "maybe the best coach in the world" yesterday ahead of their EPL showdown today.

Chelsea have stormed to the top of the league after seven straight wins, during which they have conceded only one goal, but City are just a point behind them in third place.

"Conte is one of the best - maybe the best, maybe one of the best - coaches in the world right now," Guardiola said. "His statistics, his numbers, the way they play are really good. It's the first time we are going to face each other and it's good to play against them."

He added: "He's a coach, when you see his teams, if its Juventus or Chelsea you realise his (finger) prints on his teams.