As the Premier League draws to a close this weekend many clubs look to the summer with anticipation of signing the next superstar to adorn the back of many a supporters shirt. One club in particular have been at the forefront of the transfer window for many summers and this one will be no different.
Is it Time for a Pep Talk at City
Ever since the marquee signing of Robinho in the summer of 2008, Manchester City have slowly but surely rid the tag of being a middle table Premier League side to win the main prize twice in the last 4 years, finishing runner up in between. Last seasons transfer embargo for failing the Financial Fair Play ruling could be apportioned to their failings this year. Remember it was only 12 months ago that this team was being crowned champions of England with the League Cup already neatly positioned in the trophy cabinet. However, after a summer of not too much activity and the Frank Lampard saga they still went into this season with high hopes of retaining the title and faring much better in the Champion League. Sadly for the blue side of Manchester, this did not happen. Many fans still see finishing above their neighbours as being a success, yet how times have changed.
As the sun sets on this season the owners in Abu Dhabi will reflect on a disappointing campaign and whilst East Manchester is developing into a hot football cauldron of emerging talent with the fantastic new training facilities, it is a short walk from this very complex over the bridge into the Etihad Stadium where Sheikh Mansour will be plotting his next move to ensure City can eventually challenge the might of Europe whilst conquering the Premier League for years to come.
In recent days, the names of potential new signings are on the back pages and it seems that anyone who is worth over £40m is associated with a move to City. Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling are high on the radar as is Alex Song with his vast experience and at only 27 years old is still going to offer himself as part of the nucleus to build the next team around. There are notable exits too with both Milner and the mighty Yaya Toure rumoured to be close to joining Liverpool and Inter respectively. Lots more names are floating around but one name in particular is creating the most interest….that is Pep Guardiola.
At 44 years old, he is still very young and whilst most ex-players this age are still coaching waiting for their break into management, it is fair to say that Guardiola is somewhat of a veteran of success since taking over the reigns at the Nou Camp in 2008.
His first season brought about the treble but not any treble. It was La Liga, the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League. Followed swiftly by the Supercup of Spain, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup you could possibly forgive him if he had decided to close his notepad and throw away his tactics board for a quiet life in the Spanish countryside away from the day-to-day management of a successful football club, especially maintaining such high standards.
After four years he then questioned himself, took some time out of the coaching sphere for 12 months, after which he proceeded to announce his arrival at German giants Bayern Munich in 2013. His first season brought about the quadruple but the Champions League had evaded him. It has done exactly the same to him this year and with an ageing team at Bayern and one or two internal wrangles it appears that Pep could soon find himself on English soil.
Manchester City are known to be the main favourites for his next port of call. The management of the club is very Spanish orientated with Ferran Soriano being the CEO whilst Txiki Begiristain is in his accomplished role of Director of Football. Both men being credited with the recent success of Barcelona they are well placed to view Pep Guardiola as the next generation manager to catapult City to the top of the footballing world.
Not only would Guardiola bring a youthful outlook to the ever changing tactical world of football he would also be able to coach the highest calibre of player and be confident in the knowledge that he would be able to; alongside an ever-present Director of Football, acquire their ever important signatures on the dotted line. To re-build the team and mould then into a way that they could compete with the best and become the champions of Europe is something that the owners are too aware of.
As the sun sets on this season will the same thing soon be happening to Bayern Munich. Whilst the ever approachable Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini remains unfazed of his future role at the club, is it time now for Manchester City to emerge with a marquee signing that comes in the name of Pep Guardiola.
