Where next for Pep Guardiola?

Barnaby Read 19:10 20/12/2015
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  • Where to next for Pep?

    The future of Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has been a hot topic ever since he signed a two-year deal at the Bavarian club back in 2013, outsiders speculating from the off where the Spaniard would end up next.

    And as the 44-year-old announced his intention to make a decision on his future by Christmas, reports quickly emerged from Spain that he will be off at the end of the season.

    A move to the Premier League has long been mooted and with all of the ‘top four’ clubs casting an eye over Guardiola, there will be no shortage of interest from England in his services should those rumours prove to be true.

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    Here, Sport360 looks at the four English clubs vying for the former Barcelona boss’ signature when he is ready to move on.

    MANCHESTER CITY
    Likelihood: 9/10

    Possibly the most likely of destinations for Guardiola, reports earlier this year from beIN Sports claimed he was ready to move before the season started.

    Those were denied by both Bayern and City, with Manuel Pellegrini given a new deal as a show of faith from the City hierarchy.

    Both then and now that seemed a needed public backing but one that would quickly be removed should Guardiola leave Bayern at the end of his contract.

    Much improved performances in the Champions League have followed for Pellegrini but City’s board would surely jump at the chance of picking up Guardiola in the hope that he can replicate his glorious spell at Barca in Manchester.

    Pellegrini is looking over his shoulder.

    MANCHESTER UNITED
    ​Likelihood: 7/10

    The Duthman was brought into Old Trafford on a three-year deal in the summer, with high hopes that he could arrest the club’s slide with the backing of millions of pounds to spend in the transfer market.

    Van Gaal did spend big but fans and media alike have been widely critical of his spell so far, with a combination of baffling decisions and a lack of potency frustrating many.

    While the former Barca, Netherlands and Bayern coach reportedly still has the backing of the board, he must improve fortunes on the pitch with the clubs Champions League exit unlikely to do him any favours.

    Should Guardiola be able to be tempted to Old Trafford, there may be little Van Gaal could do to prove he is the right man to continue in the job.

    Van Gaal has divided United opinion.

    ARSENAL
    ​Likelihood: 6/10

    Next season will mark the 20th year Arsene Wenger has been at the helm of Arsenal, a spell that until 2004 included widespread dominance in England.

    While there has been no notion from the Arsenal board that his position is under threat – in fact, quite the opposite – the prospect of Guardiola in the Emirates dugout is mouth watering for Arsenal fans.

    For all Wenger has accomplished at Arsenal, a lack of a Premier League title in 11 years and no Champions League glory to his name remains an issue.

    Guardiola’s distinct ‘tiki-taka’ style would be well suited at Arsenal and would make his transition relatively easy.

    Could Arsenal make a change?

    CHELSEA
    ​Likelihood: 8/10

    With Jose Mourinho now gone, it would make perfect sense for Guardiola to move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season when Guus Hiddink's temporary stint is over.

    There are some big question marks, though, over whether Guardiola will be keen to work under someone like Roman Abramovich who happily disposes of his managers if results don't go his quickly.

    That said, surely the Spaniard could be tempted to restore the west London club's former glories.

    Mourinho is under pressure at Chelsea.

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