Guardiola declares Prem interest

Pep Guardiola has followed Jose Mourinho's lead in stating his desire to manage in England at some point in his career.

Last Updated: 16/01/13 at 16:16 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Manager Specials. Click here to bet.

Pep Guardiola: Hinted at future move to England

Pep Guardiola: Hinted at future move to England

Although Mourinho has never been shy at declaring his love for the Premier League, Guardiola has been more guarded about his responses.

Indeed, the favoured option at present for when he resumes his coaching career after taking his year's sabbatical is German giant Bayern Munich.

However, using the same FA video messaging platform from which Mourinho restated his intentions earlier this week, Guardiola has outlined the lure English football holds for him too.

"As a player, I couldn't realise my dream to play there," he told FATV.

"But I hope, in the future, I have a challenge to be a coach there and feel the experience of all the coaches and players that have been there.

"It is unique, to play in that league. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media and the style of the players.

"I have always found English football fascinating. The support of the home team is amazing.

"In Italy, Latin people will support you when they are playing and when you lose, they kill you. In England, I'm always surprised that people support everything.

"That is nice and why, maybe, as I am still young, just 41, I hope to have the challenge or the opportunity to train there."

With Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all heavily linked with the highly-rated former Barcelona coach, Guardiola is not short of options.

And whilst he never played league football, he does have direct experience of English crowds as both a player and coach, lifting the European Cup in 1992 when Barca beat Sampdoria, then as a coach 19 years later when the Catalans swept Manchester United aside with clinical efficiency.

"I am a lucky guy, because I had the opportunity to play two finals, both in England at Wembley," said Guardiola.

"That's why my relationship with England is pretty close.

"The new Wembley doesn't have the history that the old stadium had, but overall, because of how we played that game, I like (the new Wembley)."

Guardiola's message will be played out at the lavish ceremony at the Connaught Rooms in central London, where football's first rulebook was drafted.

Scores of football dignitaries will be in attendance with every living former England manager amongst those invited.

With high-profile friendlies against Brazil, Republic of Ireland and Scotland already arranged, it promises to be a memorable year, with Pele confirmed as guest of honour at the inaugural player of the year awards' night at St George's Park on Sunday, February 3.

The FA will use Wednesday's event to showpiece the huge amount of work they do, both at the highest level and, more importantly, the grassroots game given they are responsible for all seven million officially registered players in England.

It is an undertaking that should not go unrecognised.

"I want to say congratulations to the FA on this huge anniversary, because 150 years is a lot," said Guardiola.

"But also because they created the rules of football and have a responsibility for the game. They have been important in the development of our beautiful game."


Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week


Bet with SkyBet  Manager Specials. Click here to bet.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

S

wap deal with ITV. Can't wait to see Stuart Pearce and Roy Keane giving each other the evils.

rambo
Southgate tipped for U-21 job

J

oe has signed John Scales instead.

rambo
Newcastle pull Douglas deal

D

oes the medical involve some sort of dressage event?

shabtastic
Carroll set for Hammers medical

Footer 365

Luis Suarez should not be blinded by Liverpool loyalty, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher says Luis Suarez should not be blinded by loyalty to Liverpool if Real Madrid make a big-money offer.

Confederations Cup: Brazil on verge of semi-finals after 2-0 win over Mexico

Neymar all but fired Brazil to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup as they defeated Mexico 2-0.

Transfer news: Feyenoord say Lex Immers will stay following links to Cardiff City

Feyenoord have moved to dismiss reports that midfielder Lex Immers could be on his way to Cardiff City.

Mail Box

'Bye Sunderland' & More Fixtures Reaction

The afternoon mailbox has plenty more views on the fixture list. Plus, a sublime piece of skill from Emile Heskey, more cool 'ballers and dull football matches...

One Guy's Genuinely Irked About Fixtures

A Gooner in the Mailbox seems to genuinely think that the world/fixture computer is against his team. Sigh. That, plus more cool footballers & Mike Ashley: Supervillain...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved