According to reports from The Daily Star, Chelsea and Manchester United both launched late attempts to sign Manchester City-bound manager Pep Guardiola.
The Bayern Munich boss, who won two Champions League titles during his four years in charge of Barcelona, revealed in December that he would not extend his Allianz Arena contract past the end of the season.
Manchester City officially confirmed yesterday that Guardiola will take the Etihad hot seat next summer on a three-year contract, but according to The Daily Star, it wasn’t for the want of trying on Chelsea and Manchester United’s part.
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The Premier League rivals were reportedly scrapping it out with City for the Spaniard’s services over the last few months and the British tabloid claim both clubs launched late attempts to convince him against an Etihad move.
Manchester United have since insisted otherwise, but former manager Sir Alex Ferguson has openly admitted to holding talks with Guardiola in 2012 and it’s alleged the Red Devils recently tried to reopen dialogue.
Amongst other factors, the presence of former Barcelona officials Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano is seen as one of the main reasons Guardiola chose City over Chelsea and United.