Sheffield Wednesday: What Birmingham City boss Pep Clotet said about Garry Monk reunion ahead of Hillsborough clash

Speaking in a press conference at a similar time that Monk delivered a scathing appraisal of the Spaniard, Clotet – who served as the Wednesday boss’ assistant at three clubs – wrongly claimed there was ‘no issue’ between the two of them.

Monk accused him of ‘lacking loyalty’ after Clotet took his job after he was sacked as Birmingham boss in June.

Asked about whether the reunion would be uncomfortable, Clotet told Birmingham Live: “As comfortable as he understands I want to win the three points and he probably wants to win three points as well. It’s going to be the same when I visit Huddersfield and Cardiff when Warnock was there.

“I only focus on what we do, never think about that opposition manager is thinking or doing.

“As far as I am concerned there is no issue between the two of us, of course, it’s football, it’s three points, that’s the only thing that is in contention.”

Monk’s admission has added spice to an already important fixture and having been reminded of the Birmingham player’s affinity for Monk, the Blues boss said there he has not prepared any differently despite his history with the Wednesday manager.

“We haven’t treated this game different to any other game it’s just been preparing entirely like any other game,” he said.

“I think every game we prepare a little bit better because we know each other a little bit more, we are growing with every game.

“I see that in the players as well, we don’t want to get in the way of the mentality that we are playing Sheffield Wednesday, we are not playing Garry Monk.”

Birmingham City responded to Monk’s comments with a bizarre post on Twitter.