Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff wanted Pep Guardiola to join Manchester United
Former Barcelona and Ajax legend Johan Cruyff has revealed that he wanted Pep Guardiola to join Manchester United and not Manchester City. Guardiola's contract with Bayern Munich ends in the summer and he had earlier announced he would be leaving the club to coach in England.
City were quick to respond and immediately snapped him up in January. He was also linked with Manchester United and Chelsea but signed for United’s bitter rivals instead. But Cruyff feels taking over from Louis Van Gaal would have been the better choice to make.
Speaking to Esports Cope he said, “I would have liked Pep at United - they have more tradition than City. “It is a good moment to work at City, though, because they have the set-up, the money and the will to create a good team”, he added.
Cruyff spent six years at Barcelona where he won the La Liga and Copa del Rey. After retiring as a player, Cruyff went into management. He became manager of Barcelona in 1988 and Pep Guardiola was one of his first signings for the club. Barcelona went on to win several trophies under Cruyff including four La Liga titles and a European Cup.
Guardiola, his former player now turned manager himself signed a three-year contract with Manchester City keeping him at the Etihad until 2018. The Sky Blues have currently slipped to fourth in the table after losing to Leicester City at home.
Pellegrini’s men are now six points behind the surprise leaders and six above their crosstown rivals United. City play Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend who have given their own title chances a boost by moving up to second in the table.
Cruyff hopes Neymar will stay at Barcelona
Neymar has been playing arguably his best football over the last year and a half which has peaked the interest of several clubs. Latest rumours saw the Brazilian linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United.
But the three-time Ballon d’Or winner wants the 24-year-old not to be swayed by big money moves and concentrate on playing for the Catalan giants. “There is a mix between romanticism to always play for the same club and tempting offers from elsewhere. Money is very powerful. We already know Neymar's situation at Barca is very good, but there are always better [offers]. I hope he stays,” said the 68-year-old
Neymar and company will play Valencia on the 11th of February in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey. They won the first leg 7-0.