Pep Guardiola has made it clear he wants to manage in the Premier League, and outlined the factors behind that desire. The former Barcelona coach is currently on a one year sabbatical from the game following his departure from the Camp Nou at the end of last season. In the time since he left his hometown club the double Champions League winning coach has become the most wanted man in football.
Guardiola said he feels drawn to the game in England due to its history and the culture which surrounds football, and the public’s attitude to the game, in the country. He highlighted his brief memories of playing games in England as highlights of his career. Two of Guardiola’s European Cup final triumphs with Barcelona were at Wembley, as a player with in 1992 at the old Wembley stadium and then as a manager in 2011, at the new Wembley. The former midfielder also admitted he regretted never having the opportunity to play for an English club.
“As a player I couldn’t realise my dream to play there.
“I hope in the future I have a challenge to be a manager, to be a coach there and feel the experience of all the coaches, all the players that have been there – they are unique.
“English football is always fascinating, just for the environment, just for the crowd, for the supporters.
"How they support the home team - that is pretty amazing.
"In Italy - Latin people when you are playing they support you, when you lose they kill you. In England, I'm always surprised that people support everything. That’s so nice.
“That’s why, maybe, maybe in the future I’ll have the challenge or the opportunity to train there."
Guardiola was speaking to the FA as part of the build up to their 150th anniversary celebration, which is held in London today.
The former Barcelona boss has reportedly been approached by several top European clubs - including Manchester City, Chelsea, Paris saint Germain, Roma and Bayern Munich. Manchester United are also believed to be interested in his availability. None of the positions are currently vacant but Roman Abramovich’s decision move to hire Rafa Benitez as an “interim manager” is a sign of the effort clubs are willing to make to ensure they are in a position to attract Guardiola.
Two of Guardiola’s former colleagues at the Camp Nou are now working at Manchester City and they could prove key to the battle for Pep’s commitment. City chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txixi Begiristain are keen to reunite with the Catalan as they aim to transform City into the dominant force in European football.
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell recently told a Catalan radio station that Manchester City have made attempts to entice some of their players away from the Camp Nou, but have not enjoyed any success. "There have been some offensive approaches from City, at all levels of the structure of the club, but no one wants to go. They wanted to fish here but there were no fish left."
