Manager merry-go-round: Guardiola has eye on joining Man Utd?
It is around this time of year that disgruntled chairmen begin to get itchy trigger fingers and, once again, there are an abundance of managerial changes rumoured to be in the works.
Former Barcelona and current Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is apparently keen on coaching Manchester United (14/1 to win the Premier League) in the future, according to journalist Marti Perarnau.
Guardiola is the subject of a new book focusing on his Bundesliga win with the German giants, entitled ‘Pep Confidential: The Inside Story of Pep Guardiola’s First Season at Bayern Munich’. The author, and apparent close friend, Perarnau, claims the in-demand coach was courted by both Chelsea and Manchester City before choosing a move to Munich, but has his eye on taking over at Old Trafford one day.
Two-time Champions League winner Guardiola, who played under current Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal at Barca, is reported to have said in 2011: “I like this atmosphere. I could see myself coaching here one day.”
Meanwhile, over in north London, Arsene Wenger is believed to still be in his former club Monaco’s sights. The Ligue 1 rich kids are supposed to have talked with the Arsenal tactician, who recently signed a lucrative three-year contract to keep him at the Emirates for the foreseeable future, a few months ago.
Wenger won a league title and a Coupe de France with the club before moving to Japan, and Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev has stated that the Frenchman is still in their thoughts: “For Monaco he is part of our history, part of our heritage.
“He is doing an amazing job. I don’t know if one day he will want to come back, but we keep a very good relationship. Last time we exchanged was during the Emirates Cup. He keeps a strong affection for Monaco”, the Russian said.
Arsenal’s London rivals QPR are also featured in the managerial merry-go-round, with Harry Redknapp, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, reported to be edging closer to the exit at Loftus Road. The newly-promoted Hoops have endured a difficult return to the top flight, and are currently propping up the Premier League table.
If Redknapp does receive the axe, with relegation a real possibility, QPR are apparently considering turning to ex-Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood or former Crystal Palace coach Tony Pulis to replace him.
Sherwood was at White Hart Lane during Redknapp’s reign, and is looking to return to management after his own brief spell in charge of Spurs, whilst Pulis left Palace in turmoil by departing just before the start of this campaign.
