'I have taken a decision to return to coaching but beyond that no decision has been taken' claims Spaniard
Pep Guardiola fired the starting pistol on the biggest managerial scramble for years by revealing he is ready to return to the dug-out.
The former Barcelona chief is half-way through a “sabbatical” year with his family in New York after leaving the Nou Camp last summer. Sources close to the Catalan had insisted he would decide by February what his plans for next season were.
But last night, attending the FIFA Ballon D'Or Gala in Zurich where Lionel Messi was named World Player of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, Guardiola made his move ahead of schedule.
He added: “I don’t have a team to go to but I would like to go back to coaching. I have taken a decision to return but beyond that no decision has been taken.”
Guardiola’s statement is the green light for Europe’s top clubs to try to persuade him to join them.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has long had Guardiola at the top of his personal hit-list although the Stamford Bridge hierarchy fear they are running behind Manchester they are running behind Manchester City, where former Barcelona executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain are now employed.
But Guardiola also fits the profile for Manchester United if Sir Alex Ferguson – who called on the Catalan in New York last month – decides he wants to stand down this summer.
Paris St Germain - owned by the Qatari royal family for whom Guardiola was a paid propagandist for their 2022 World Cup bid - are also on the case as are Bayern Munich.
Pep Guardiola fired the starting pistol on the biggest managerial scramble for years by revealing he is ready to return to the dug-out.
The former Barcelona chief is half-way through a “sabbatical” year with his family in New York after leaving the Nou Camp last summer. Sources close to the Catalan had insisted he would decide by February what his plans for next season were.
But last night, attending the FIFA Ballon D'Or Gala in Zurich where Lionel Messi was named World Player of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, Guardiola made his move ahead of schedule.
Getty
He said: “Yes, I would like to come back to coaching. I have
been out for a year and it’s what I would like but there is no reason to
give any more specific details.He added: “I don’t have a team to go to but I would like to go back to coaching. I have taken a decision to return but beyond that no decision has been taken.”
Guardiola’s statement is the green light for Europe’s top clubs to try to persuade him to join them.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has long had Guardiola at the top of his personal hit-list although the Stamford Bridge hierarchy fear they are running behind Manchester they are running behind Manchester City, where former Barcelona executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain are now employed.
But Guardiola also fits the profile for Manchester United if Sir Alex Ferguson – who called on the Catalan in New York last month – decides he wants to stand down this summer.
Paris St Germain - owned by the Qatari royal family for whom Guardiola was a paid propagandist for their 2022 World Cup bid - are also on the case as are Bayern Munich.
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