Manchester United is Pep Guardiola's next destination, believes Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer
Former Barcelona and current Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola might be destined for Manchester United next, believes German legend Franz Beckenbauer. The Spaniard is in the final year of his three year contract at the Bundesliga giants and potentially has his sights set on the Premier League.
With intense speculation surrounding his contract at the Bavarian club, Bayern Munich’s honorary President Franz Beckenbauer was not shy about Guardiola’s potential suitors, saying “Pep is interesting for every top club in the world. That's just normal.”
“He can pick his club and in terms of popularity Manchester United might be the number one worldwide.”
Guardiola is no stanger to being linked with Premier League giants, he’s already been rumoured to have been courted by Manchester City and Chelsea. Manchester United will definitely interest Guardiola, who has previously expressed interest in managing the Red Devils at some point in his managerial career.
Close friend and journalist Marti Perarnau had reported as much in his book ‘Pep Confidential: The Inside Story of Pep Guardiola’s First Season at Bayern Munich’. While watching a Sir Alex Ferguson side in Old Trafford in 2011, Guardiola had confided with his personal assistant, Manuel Estiarte, saying ‘I like this atmosphere. I could see myself coaching here one day.’
Guardiola in constant contract speculation
Pep Guardiola has constantly had issues with long term commitment to a particular club. The Barcelona legend famously operated under rolling one-year contracts with the Blaugrana, leaving the club after four years in charge. As he is nears the end of a three year deal with Bayern Munich, speculation surrounding his future has sparked up again.
Munich, for their part, are relaxed, with club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge previously saying, “I am relaxed about it and so is the coach. We will have the talks after the end of the first half of the season. Then there will be a decision which we will announce whatever the outcome of this discussion.”
Guardiola has also been courted by Manchester City this season, with reports last month linking him with the job. His former colleague at Barcelona, Txiki Begiristain is now director of football at City and has a view on luring his fellow Spaniard to the club.
With increasing pressure on Louis van Gaal following Manchester United’s exit from the Champions League however, the time might be right for Pep Guardiola to finally occupy the Old Trafford dugout.