Pep Guardiola’s announcement that the Premier League will be his destination after he leaves Bayern Munich in May has sent a ripple of excitement through English football.
Advertisement
He told the Sunday Mirror: “Pep is a great coach, but he has won the title at Barcelona and Bayern Munich”.
“I need a new challenge and I want to use that chance to be a manager in England”.
“While Ed Woodward was extraordinarily good at the work that saw him rise in the organisation, I would question whether him in that post, rather than a director of football, is necessarily going to be the guy who can direct United where to go next”.
Guardiola confirmed last week that he was destined for the Premier League next season, with Chelsea, Manchester United and City all interested in hiring the Spaniard.
“I don’t want to put pressure the owners under any pressure [to move for Guardiola]. It’s the right time”, said Guardiola.
“That is the reason I have taken this decision”.
“It’s not for sure he will be the manager of a Premier League club next year”, Van Gaal said. You’d think he would be thrilled to have a manager who would potentially allow him to pick his spots and control the game and the ball from the midfield. He has revealed totally new options to me.
“It was a dream, it is a dream”.
“I have an opportunity to work in England”. Of those three, City are favourites, particularly given the presence of former Barcelona executives Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano.
As for United, Louis van Gaal’s immediate future seems secure but they could possibly be tempted to replace one former Barca and Bayern boss with another.
But he was unwilling to comment, stating: “I don’t have a reaction about that or feelings on other managers”.
“I have said that two years ago also so it’s not so unusual”, he said.
Gerrard, clearly a fan of the ex-Barcelona boss, is now reading “Pep Confidential”, a book about Guardiola’s first season at Bayern. The Bundesliga resumes on January 22nd and Die Roten will be looking to lock down the league championship and make a run for another Champions League title. Of course, Guardiola certainly hopes he gets that title with Bayern before he eventually resigns.
Advertisement
“I hope not and Yaya hopes not. The conditions are good and the atmosphere in the team is excellent”, he added. As such, United’s standing in the world game would surely appeal to him.
