Darren Moore learnt about Pep Guardiola's special qualities at a very early stage.
Guardiola was new to English football after his appointment at Manchester City in 2016 but immediately embraced a much-loved tradition as old as the FA Cup. Guardiola was invited into the manager's office at the Hawthorns for the customary post-match drink when Huddersfield boss Moore was a rookie coach on Tony Pulis’s staff at West Brom.
Moore caught a glimpse of greatness back then but also saw another side to Guardiola, away from the competitor he will face on the touchline on Sunday when Huddersfield face the holders. "It was nice that someone of that ilk, that size within the game globally to be so humble and respectful," Moore tells Mirror Football.
"I think he’s led the way, leading the way and continues to lead the way and evolve. When you start to lead the way, others copy and follow so you have to be ahead of the trend and that’s what he’s done.
"He’s developed a unique way of playing the game but also getting the results in a perfect way of how he sees football. For me, it’s his passion and desire, that winning attitude which is not easy to come by because when you’ve won so much, then to be able to park it and move onto the next one takes a unique character. These managers have a relentless attitude to win and be the best."
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Huddersfield will be huge underdogs against last season’s Treble winners and yet Moore says the togetherness and respect between rival managers is something which should be treasured. Moore achieved his own remarkable feat last season when he led Sheffield Wednesday to the biggest comeback in play-off history, recovering from a 4-0 defeat to Peterborough to win on penalties and then gain promotion in the play-off final against Barnsley at Wembley.
Guardiola swept the board with City but suddenly Moore was rubbing shoulders with other bosses at the League Managers' Association dinner and Football Writers' Association awards for his own achievement.
"Whatever level you are working at, there’s real respect between managers," said Moore. "The LMA have played a huge part and it was nice to get to the FWA dinner in Manchester. Other managers have been a wonderful support vessel."
Pep Guardiola is a two-time FA Cup winner (Getty Images)Do you think Huddersfield will shock Manchester City in the FA Cup? Let us know in the comments below!
Now Moore has another huge task on his hands with Huddersfield. Not just in the FA Cup but also trying to keep them in the Championship to help build lasting foundations for the future. The club’s potential is huge. It is a job and task he is relishing.
"We know we will face a formidable team on Sunday, but that’s for us to aspire to that level and what we have to aspire to," said Moore. "I’ve got a passion and desire to move this club forward because I feel here at Huddersfield, it’s a wonderful football club, a great structure but we have to change the mentality in the club and start moving forward.
"The only way you can do that is by winning games and we’ll strive to get there. But we’ll see another team on Sunday, a team which is at the pinnacle and that’ll be a great challenge for us. Pep has pushed the game in levels that has opened all of our eyes."
Moore faces a tough task but will tell his players to embrace the opportunity. He added: "I told the boys it is a wonderful occasion for us to be facing the holders and probably the best team in the world. What a moment for us to step into that arena and be against the very best. I would imagine, if you were ever dreaming as a boy about being a footballer and what it would look like, Sunday would be it."
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