Pep Guardiola: 'Antonio Conte will succeed if he is backed by Tottenham Hotspur'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Antonio Conte can succeed at Tottenham Hotspur if he is backed by the club.

Conte, who arrived at Spurs in November, has recently endured a difficult spell in the dugout, with Spurs losing each of their last three Premier League games.

The 52-year-old has also expressed his displeasure with Tottenham's transfer business in January, after suggesting that his side was "weakened" despite the arrivals of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.

Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday evening's fixture against Spurs at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola admits that he has learned a lot from Conte over the years and believes the Italian needs time to put his stamp on the North London outfit.

"I learn a lot watching his teams, the movement. He showed in Juventus and changed many things since he arrived at [Inter Milan], at Chelsea," Guardiola said.

"If the club (Tottenham) rely on him 100% they will have success. In my first season it was tough for results. Every manager needs time and investment to be there for many time in this country, it's more difficult than any other place in the world.

"We know how difficult this country is. He's a manager, even with the national team, how they played was fantastic. I have incredible respect because when I watch his teams I learn something new.

"You need time but in football there is no time, this club gave me time so I am grateful. All managers need time to try to convince the players to follow what you feel."

Guardiola has also highlighted the qualities of Tottenham's key players, including Son Heung-min and claims that City "suffer every time" they come up against the South Korean forward.

"They have a lot of weapons, Son we suffer every time, with [Harry] Kane, [Lucas] Moura, they have a lot of quality. Midfield and physicality."

Son scored the only goal for Spurs in a 1-0 win against Man City in North London on the opening day of the season, one of only two defeats that the reigning champions have suffered in the Premier League this term.