Pep Guardiola could coach Qatar for 2022 World Cup

Pep Guardiola

Munich, Feb 4 (IANS) German club Bayern Munich's coach Pep Guardiola could take over as Qatar's football coach for the 2022 World Cup, reports in Germany suggested Wednesday.

Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 home draw by Schalke Tuesday. Despite dropping points, they maintain an eight-point lead over their second placed VFL Wolfsburg at the top of the Bundesliga.

Guardiola signed a three-year contract with Bayern in 2013. There are no reports of both parties agreeing to a new deal. German newspaper Sport Bild Wednesday speculated that he could be tempted to coach the 2022 Cup hosts by a lucrative deal, reports guardian.co.uk.

The 44-year-old spent two seasons at the end of his playing career at Qatar Stars League side Al-Ahli. The German paper also suggested that the former FC Barcelona player and coach retains strong links with the country having also been an ambassador for their successful 2022 Cup bid.

Guardiola has voiced his belief earlier that hosting the World Cup in the Middle East would be a success.

Guardiola has also fanned the speculation, expressing his intention of wanting his managerial career to "pass through England starting from Bayern and culminate in a national team."