Pep Guardiola states 'I want to manage in the Premier League' but will it be for Manchester City, Chelsea or someone else?
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Pep Guardiola has confirmed that when he leaves Bayern Munich he will be making a move to the Premier League.
Speculation has been mounting since the Spaniard confirmed he would leave the German giants at the end of the season as to where his next destination will be.
But in a news conference today he has stated "The reason I have not extended my contract is simple: I want to manage in the Premier League,"
"I think I am young enough. I need a new challenge. My career is a long way from over."
Whilst the former Barcelona boss coming to England is no great surprise, by confirming his arrival at the end of the season it would appear that he will be making a decision on which club in the near future, having already been approached.
"I have some offers from the Premier League, but I have not committed myself yet." he said. "I am very grateful to Bayern for the trust they've shown in me."
"When I have a new club, the club will communicate that. At the moment, I can't say anything else because nothing is fixed."
So until his new club does make that confirmation, there is nothing to do but speculate as to which club it will be.
As it stands, the only club that will be looking for a new manager at the end of the season is Chelsea, who have placed Guss Hiddink in temporary charge following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
Owner Roman Abramovich is believed to be willing to get Guardiola no matter what the cost, but the owner's running of the club and itchy trigger finger when it comes to managers may make Pep wary of a club that has a lot of resources, and is London based, but isn't a great guarantee of the time he will need to employ his footballing philosophy.
However, with a manager of Guardiola's pedigree on the market, both Manchester clubs could also be putting their case forward.
Manchester City have been long time admirers and would have to be classed as favourites to be Pep's next club, despite having a Premier League winning manager in Manuel Pellegrini still at the Eithad.
The presence of Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano at City, who worked with Guardiola during his massively successful spell as Barcelona boss, is thought to be a big selling point, and with the club's growing academy and commercial interests, could be a seen as an ideal project.
United's situation is slightly more complicated. Current manager Louis Van Gaal was seemingly on the brink of being sacked/resigning over the Christmas period, and half way through his current three year deal it's unclear where his future lies.
With Guardiola unavailable until the end of the season, United know they need a short term solution until they could potentially bring him in. If Van Gaal does stay, he will need to do a lot to convince the club not to pursue Guardiola, and quickly.
Realistically Guardiola will be at one of these clubs come the end of the season, with City the most likely, but perhaps the best suited club to his style is current Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The style of play at the Emirates has long been compared to that of Barcelona, and with the philosophy already inherent at the club, it would seem a perfect match.
The chances of that happening are very slim however, with Arsenal boss and stalwart Arsene Wenger showing no signs of wanting to go anywhere.
But with his side looking like genuine title contenders, if he were to win his first League title for eleven years,hemight see it as a perfect way to end his reign, and Guardiola the ideal successor to his throne.
Whichever club does snap him up, the prospect of seeing him prowling the touchlines of the Premier League next season is something that every fan will be looking forward to.