Pep Guardiola: Will he join Manchester United, Man City, Chelsea or Arsenal this summer?
The Bayern Munich coach has confirmed he plans on coming to the Premier League
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Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola has confirmed what many already suspected - he left Bayern Munich so he could manage in the Premier League.
"I want to coach in Premier League. That is the reason I did not prolong my contract," the former Barcelona coach told a news conference.
But the Spaniard has kept people guessing about exactly which club he will end up at - "I haven't decided on a new club yet," he said.
It appears there will be no shortage of offers - Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been offered as potential destinations. So which one will he join?
MANCHESTER CITY
Undoubtedly the favourites. That stems from City director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano having a long-standing friendship with Guardiola from their time together at Barcelona. It's also understood the pair have convinced City’s Abu Dhabi hierarchy that they can lure him to the Etihad. Current manager Manuel Pellegrini was given a one-year contract extension in August, tying him to the club until June 2017, however it's thought the club would have little problem casting aside the Chilean if Guardiola can be persuaded to come.
Latest odds: 1/5
MANCHESTER UNITED
According to a book chronicling his first season at Bayern Munich it was claimed that whilst sitting at Old Trafford Guardiola said: "I like this atmosphere. I could see myself coaching here one day." It is that, and other reports claiming the Spaniard sees Manchester United as a club he would like to manage, linking him with Old Trafford. Despite the knowledge that a move to the Theatre of Dreams is an attractive proposition the Manchester United hierarchy have only indicated they will allow current manager Louis van Gaal to at least see out his contract - which lasts until 2017. If the current manager were to go, Guardiola would not be the only name in the frame, with bookmakers giving shorter odds on both Jose Mourinho and Ryan Giggs. However things could change rapidly.
Latest odds: 11/1
CHELSEA
Of all the clubs linked with Guardiola, Chelsea are the only one who must appoint a new coach in the summer having already dismissed their manager. Following the sacking of Mourinho after the club's awful defence of their title, Guus Hiddink has been put in charge, but only until the end of the season. The Independent understands that current Italy manager Antonio Conte is the favourite to be installed. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has also been linked. But the availability of Guardiola could change things. Chelsea know all about his ability from their battles with his Barcelona teams in the Champions League. There is also a strong Spanish presence at the club in Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, César Azpilicueta and Pedro, which could be a plus-point for Guardiola.
Latest odds: 4/1
ARSENAL
Of the Premier League sides linked, Arsenal appear the least likely destination. That mainly stems from current manager Arsene 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 a philosophy of beautiful football as an attractive one. Wenger is not expected to go at the end of this season, but if Arsenal were to win the Premier League title and the ideal replacement were waiting to take over, could he be tempted to bow out?
Latest odds: 9/1
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