Manchester United made no attempt to lure Pep Guardiola from Bayern Munich, if Sky Sports sources are to be believed.
When the footballing world was waiting for some exciting signings on transfer deadline day, Manchester City stole the show by revealing Guardiola would replace Manuel Pellegrini as their head coach from next season. Although many had suspected such a development for some time, it was undoubtedly the biggest story of the day and indeed one of the stories of recent years.
Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in world football, if not the best, having swept all before him during a four-year spell at his beloved Barcelona. It looks increasingly likely there will be a similar story at Bayern Munich, as he closes on a third Bundesliga title in three years whilst the German giants are also one of the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League.
The Spaniard announced last year that he would quit the Allianz Arena at the end of the current campaign, and he was immediately tipped to join his former Camp Nou colleagues Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano at the Etihad Stadium. Indeed, it has been widely claimed that his appointment is the result of some long-term planning from the blue half of Manchester.
But with their neighbours and fierce rivals United still recovering from the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, there was suggestions that the Reds could also make a play for Guardiola. David Moyes was the first appointment following the departure of their great manager, but he was sacked within a year and his replacement, Louis van Gaal, is coming under increasing pressure.
Yet according to Sky Sports sources, the Old Trafford club made no attempt to hijack Guardiola’s move to City. It is claimed they always felt the 45-year-old was bound for the Etihad Stadium, so they decided against entering into a fight they felt would end in almost certain defeat. Whether they now stick with van Gaal for another season, or maybe turn to Jose Mourinho or Ryan Giggs, remains to be seen.
