Pep Guardiola has confirmed he is leaving Bayern Munich to manage in the Premier League, and claims he has already received several offers.
The 44-year-old revealed last month that he would quit the German giants upon the expiry of his three-year contract this summer, which sparked intense speculation in regards to his next destination. Although there was some talk the former Barcelona boss could head to Italy, where he played for Brescia and Roma, it was always likely that his next port of call would be England.
And Guardiola has now confirmed that he intends to manage in the Premier League from next season onwards, and he has even claimed to have already received several offers. Although he has refused to state where these opportunities may be, Manchester City have long been favourites to appoint him regardless of what Manuel Pellegrini may go on to achieve this term.
“I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England,” confirmed the former Spain international midfielder on Tuesday afternoon. “I have several offers from England but I haven’t signed anything yet. I haven’t decided. I have an opportunity to work in England. I’m at the right age and I feel it is the right move for me. That is the reason I have taken this decision.”
It would appear that City have been gearing up for Guardiola for some time. His former Camp Nou colleagues Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano are already at the Etihad Stadium as director of football and chief executive respectively, and it has long been suggested that the arrival of the head coach is the final piece of a dream managerial infrastructure of the Blues Abu Dhabi owners.
However, City could yet face competition from neighbours United. Louis van Gaal is coming under increasing pressure at Old Trafford, and at a time when they are somewhat in the shadow of their old rivals, taking Guardiola from under their noses would be a great coup. And Chelsea, who have appointed Guus Hiddink in caretaker charge, are also in the market for a new boss next term.
