According to reports from The Sun, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all want to make Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola their next manager.
The retired Spain international is one of European football’s most successful managers of the modern era, having won 14 trophies during his four years at Barcelona – including three La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Champions League titles.
Guardiola moved to the Allianz Arena in summer 2013 and now finds himself into the final twelve months of his Bayern contract, following back-to-back Bundesliga titles and two consecutive years of elimination from the Champions League’s semi-finals.
The Bundesliga giants are desperate to agree extended terms but the 44 year-old has continually delayed the issue, heightening speculation that he intends to move on. Should that be the case, The Sun claim three of the Premier League’s clubs are already queuing to offer him a new job.
Manchester United wanted the former midfielder to replace Sir Alex Ferguson in summer 2013 and will move for him again if he becomes available. Manchester City recently awarded Manuel Pellegrini with a new contract but their Director of Football is Txiki Bergiristain – Guardiola’s old boss at the Nou Camp. Chelsea, meanwhile, will only want a replacement of the Spaniard’s calibre should they sack Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich has approached him before.
Bayern want a clear answer by the end of next month, with a lack of power over signings believed to be Guardiola’s biggest concern, but he will almost certainly remain as Bavarians boss until his contract expires at the end of the season regardless.