Bayern Munich Manager Pep Guardiola is "almost certain" to become the new Man City manager after confirming for the first time on Tuesday that "he intends to manage in the Barclays Premier League next season," according to James Ducker of the LONDON TIMES. Guardiola will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season after admitting that he wants to pursue a "new challenge" in England, although he insisted that "he has yet to sign a deal with another club." Speaking at a press conference in Germany Tuesday, Guardiola said, "The reason I have not extended my contract [with Bayern] is simple: I want to manage in the Premier League." It is "firmly expected that he will replace Manuel Pellegrini as City manager in the summer." The Chilean has "talked increasingly in recent weeks like a man who knows that his time at the Etihad Stadium is drawing to a close." He said on Tuesday that he "would rather win the title and be sacked this season than simply renew his contract for five years." Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich, who "has coveted Guardiola for more than five years, is refusing to give up hope of luring the former Barcelona coach to west London, but it would take a significant turn of events for that to happen." ManU is "keen to give Louis van Gaal more time to arrest the club’s ailing fortunes and senior sources at Old Trafford have been convinced for weeks that Guardiola is going to City." Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger, 66, has "given little indication that he is prepared to walk away" from the club at the end of this season. Guardiola said, "I need a challenge. I want new stadiums, cities and restaurants to know. Three years is enough in a club. I'm not a coach who stays at a club for 30 years" (LONDON TIMES, 1/6). In London, Simon Rice wrote the Spaniard "has kept people guessing about exactly which club he will end up at." Guardiola: "I haven't decided on a new club yet." It "appears there will be no shortage of offers" -- ManU, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been offered as "potential destinations." So "which one will he join?"
MAN CITY: Undoubtedbly "the favourites." That stems from City Dir of Football Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano having a "long-standing friendship with Guardiola from their time together at Barcelona."
MANU: Despite the knowledge that a move to the Theatre of Dreams is "an attractive proposition" the ManU hierarchy has only indicated it will allow Van Gaal to "at least see out his contract" -- which lasts until '17.
CHELSEA: Of all the clubs linked with Guardiola, Chelsea is the only one that "must appoint a new coach in the summer" having already dismissed its manager.
ARSENAL: Arsenal appears to be "the least likely destination." That "mainly stems from current Manager Arsène Wenger having another year after this season to run on his contract." However, there have been reports that Guardiola "sees the prospect of succeeding Wenger and continuing his methods of developing players and philosophy of beautiful football as an attractive one" (INDEPENDENT, 1/5).
