In an announcement to delight all fans of the English Premier League, Pep Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday his intention to manage in England from next season.
Pep Guardiola Confirms Premier League Move
In his first press conference since he announced his departure from German giants Bayern Munich, Pep addressed assembled journalists.
“The only reason I am not renewing my contract is that I am looking for a new challenge. I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. I have several offers from England (English Clubs) but I haven’t signed anything yet.”
This will give fans of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea hope that their clubs are in the running for his signature come the end of the season.
He continued to explain why he had taken the decision to leave Bayern, “I think I’m at the right age and I feel it is the right move for me. That is the reason I have taken this decision. If I were 60 or 65 I would’ve stayed, but I think I am too young. I need a new challenge. It was a dream, it is a dream. I am very grateful to Bayern for this huge opportunity.”
The ex-Barcelona manager has experienced huge success in his managerial career so far racking up an immense 19 trophies in just six full seasons as a manager. His win percentage is also hugely impressive as his combined record with Barcelona and Bayern Munich is over 73%.
In this era of the superstar manager, Guardiola really is top of the tree. His brand of football, developed and refined through years spent at La Masia, firstly as a youth team player who progressed through to Captain his boyhood club, to being the manager of Barcelona B and then leading Barcelona to becoming the best club side in the world, is revered around the world.
He has managed the transition to German football well, where his possession based style has been implemented and refined even further to fit the traditionally more powerful, counter-attacking style seen in the Bundesliga.
He has made pundits challenge conventional wisdom by converting one of the world’s best full-backs, Philipp Lahm, into one of European footballs classiest midfielders. His coaching techniques and philosophies have reinvigorated his players and pushed experienced campaigners such as Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski to produce an even higher level of performance.
His development of youth is widely praised; Pedro, Thiago, Kingsley Coman and Sergio Busquets are all now household names due to Guardiola’s tutelage.
The excitement will now build as journalists and pundits speculate where this managerial maverick will pitch up next. Fans will demand that their club pulls out all the stops to sign him, but from having witnessed his career so far, the prospect of immersing himself in another countries culture and in a new city will excite him as much as the thought of the new project at hand. A stunning financial package will come his way but it won’t be a deciding factor for sure, for here is a man who is all about the football.
Pep Guardiola; Welcome to England.
