Guardiola to Chelsea: Bayern boss confirms desire to manager Premier League club next season

Offers: Pep Guardiola says English clubs have been in touch over his services
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Tom Dutton5 January 2016

Pep Guardiola has revealed the desire to manage in the Premier League is behind his decision to walk away from Bayern Munich.

Last month the Spaniard confirmed he would be standing down as head coach at the end of the campaign after three successful years at the helm.

It inevitably led to heighten speculation about the former Barcelona boss moving to England, with Chelsea keen on the Spaniard and both Manchester City and Manchester United strongly linked.

Such talk will only increase after the Bayern manager confirmed his desire to move to the Premier League after leaving Germany.

"I haven't decided on a new club yet. I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. That is the reason I have taken this decision," Guardiola said.

"I have several offers from England but I haven't signed anything yet.

"If I were 60 or 65 I would've stayed, but I think I am too young. I need a new challenge.

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"It was a dream, it is a dream. I am very grateful to Bayern for this huge opportunity.

Guardiola took over from Jupp Heynckes in the summer of 2013 on a three-year contract and has won back-to-back Bundesliga crowns, as well as the DFB-Pokal, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

That haul is almost certainly going to be added to this season, complementing an impressive trophy haul that includes, amongst others, two Champions League and three Primera Division titles from his time as Barcelona boss.

It is no wonder there is so much interest from Premier League clubs in Guardiola, with Manchester City the bookmakers' favourites.

The Spaniard previously worked with City's chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Beguiristain during his time at Barca.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is said to be a great admirer of Guardiola and is on the look-out for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, with Guus Hiddink in interim charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season.

As for United, Louis van Gaal's immediate future seems secure but Manchester United could possibly be tempted to replace one former Bayern Munich boss with another.

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