Pep Guardiola reveals he wants to manage Manchester United, rejected Manchester City and Chelsea
Current Bayern Munich and ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that he would want to manage Manchester United some time in the future.
Reports say that a new book Pep Confidential: The Inside Story of Pep Guardiola’s First Season at Bayern Munich has excerpts revealing his admiration for the Old Trafford club. The book has been written by Marti Perarnau who is a journalist and close friend of Guardiola.
According to the book, Guardiola had already agreed to take over from Jupp Heynckes in December 2012 itself – a few months before sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement.
Guardiola liked the atmosphere at Old Trafford
The book chronicles how Guardiola once visited Old Trafford in May 2011 to watch Manchester United beat Schalke 4-1.
The Spanish manager was in the stands after his side beat Real Madrid in the semi-final to have a look at his opponents in the final.
“It was 4 May 2011, and the pair sat together in the stands of Old Trafford watching Sir Alex Ferguson’s team beat Schalke 4-1. Once again Pep had turned to his friend and said: ‘I like this atmosphere. I could see myself coaching here one day.’ Guardiola has always felt a deep admiration, almost veneration, for the legendary teams and players of Europe.”
The Red Devils had sounded out Pep Guardiola to take over after David Moyes was sacked, but he was committed to staying with Bayern Munich with whom he had a contract until 2016.
Guardiola rejected both Chelsea and Manchester City
The book also goes on to reveal that Guardiola had offers from both Chelsea and Manchester City when he was on a one-year sabbatical.
Guardiola was approached by his ex-colleague Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City’s director of football, and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
“During his sabbatical year in New York, the job offers poured in. His ex-colleague, Txiki Begiristain, the director of football at Manchester City, was very insistent.
“He also met up in Paris with Roman Abramovich, who was prepared to do anything to lure Pep to Chelsea.
“Within a few months Pep, had chosen Bayern.”